The Chicago Bears pulled off a heart-stopping 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Soldier Field — not just to stay atop the NFC North, but to prove they’re no longer the team that used to collapse under pressure. Down 21-14 with under two minutes left in the second quarter, Chicago didn’t panic. They didn’t fold. They scored 17 unanswered points. And when it was over, the defense — the same unit that haunted fans for years — delivered the kind of clutch plays that define champions.
From Desperation to Dominance
The Bears entered the game as the league’s best team in one-score contests — 5-1 in games decided by eight points or fewer. But this wasn’t just another close win. It was a statement. After Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph carved up Chicago’s secondary for 171 yards and a touchdown, the Steelers led by seven heading into halftime. The offense looked lost. The defense looked tired. Then came the third quarter.
With 3:50 left in the period and Pittsburgh driving inside Chicago’s 30-yard line, Montez Sweat exploded off the edge, stripped Rudolph clean, and recovered the fumble himself. The crowd roared. The momentum flipped. On the very next play, Kyle Monangai plunged in from two yards out. The Bears led 28-21. No longer were they just surviving — they were seizing control.
The Defense That Refused to Break
But the Steelers weren’t done. Rudolph marched them 72 yards in just 47 seconds, hitting rookie running back Jaylen Gainwell for a touchdown with 1:36 left. Suddenly, it was 28-28. The Bears went three-and-out. The Steelers had the ball, one minute to play, needing six yards to win.
That’s when Jaquan Brisker made history.
On fourth-and-six, Rudolph launched a deep out to the sideline. The ball sailed — just a hair too high. And there, leaping like a man who’d been waiting his whole career for this moment, was Brisker. He tipped it. The ball fluttered harmlessly to the turf. The crowd erupted. The Bears’ sideline exploded. "AND IT’S TIPPED AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE! IT’S OVER!" blared the broadcast. This wasn’t luck. This was execution. Brisker had been saying all season: "We’re not the same old Bears."
It wasn’t just him. Grady Jarrett batted away a critical third-down pass on the final drive. Reserve corner Nick McCloud, who’d given up a big conversion earlier, still managed seven tackles. Even the special teams held firm — no returns for touchdowns, no costly penalties in crunch time.
Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
The box score tells one part: Rudolph went 24-of-31 for 171 yards, one TD, one INT. The Steelers rushed for just 63 yards on 26 carries. Chicago Bears kicker Daniel Carlson was perfect on three field goals and four extra points. Josh Blackwell returned three kicks for 89 yards, keeping Pittsburgh’s offense off the field.
But the real numbers? The Bears are now 8-3. They’ve won eight of their last nine games. They’re the only team in the NFC North with a winning record against division rivals. And they’ve done it without their star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, who’s still on IR. They’ve done it with a rookie QB, Caleb Williams, who threw for 189 yards and one touchdown — not flashy, but efficient. And they’ve done it with a defense that, for the first time in a decade, feels like it can win games on its own.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers drop to 6-5. Their lead in the AFC North is gone. They’ve now lost two of their last three, and their offense — once feared — looks increasingly one-dimensional. Rudolph isn’t bad. But he’s not a winner. Not yet.
For Chicago? This win isn’t just about staying ahead of the Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings. It’s about belief. For years, fans watched the Bears choke in the fourth quarter. Now? They’re the team that thrives in it. Coach Matt Eberflus didn’t just build a team — he built a culture. One where players trust each other. Where the defense believes it can stop anyone. Where a safety named Brisker can tip a ball with a minute left and know it’s over.
What’s Next?
The Bears host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. Then come road games against the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. A playoff berth is no longer a dream — it’s a destination. And if this team keeps playing like it did on November 23, they won’t just make the postseason. They’ll scare the hell out of everyone in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Bears’ defense turn things around after a poor first half?
The Bears’ defense shifted to more zone coverage and blitz packages after halftime, forcing Mason Rudolph into quicker decisions. Key adjustments included Montez Sweat moving inside on passing downs and Jaquan Brisker playing deeper, which led to the game-sealing tip. The defense allowed just 7 points after halftime — their lowest second-half total of the season.
Why was Kyle Monangai’s touchdown so crucial?
Monangai’s 2-yard TD came after Montez Sweat’s strip-sack, turning a potential Steelers scoring drive into a Bears touchdown. That gave Chicago a 10-point lead — the largest of the game — and shifted psychological control. It was the first time all night the Steelers had to chase, not lead. Monangai, a third-year back, had only one other TD all season before this.
What impact did the loss have on the Steelers’ playoff chances?
The loss dropped the Pittsburgh Steelers to 6-5, putting them one game behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North. With only five games left, including road trips to Baltimore and Buffalo, their path to the playoffs is now narrow. They need to win four of five and hope for help — a tall order after this performance.
Is Caleb Williams finally proving he’s the Bears’ long-term QB?
Yes. Against Pittsburgh, Caleb Williams threw for 189 yards with one TD and no interceptions, while running for 41 yards on six carries. He didn’t try to do too much — he managed the game, trusted his defense, and made smart throws. His QBR of 79.2 was his highest since Week 4. The Bears’ offense is no longer a liability — it’s a weapon that complements their defense.
How does this win compare to historic Bears victories?
This was Chicago’s first walk-off defensive stop to seal a win since 2018, when Ha Ha Clinton-Dix intercepted Cam Newton in the final minute. It’s also the first time since 2010 that the Bears won a game after trailing by seven or more points in the second half and held on with a fourth-down stop. The emotional weight matches the 2006 NFC Championship run — not in outcome, but in spirit.
What’s the significance of the Bears being 8-1 in their last nine games?
That stretch includes wins over the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and now the Pittsburgh Steelers — all playoff-caliber teams. It’s the best nine-game run for Chicago since 2018. More importantly, they’ve done it with a rookie QB, a rebuilt offensive line, and a defense that was considered a weakness in September. This isn’t luck. It’s a rebuild completed.
