Every year I rank the Bears' top 10 plays of the season. But I didn't think that would do justice to a magical 2025 campaign that was filled with incredible, unforgettable moments. So, this year I decided to rank the top 25 plays of '25.
I'm counting down those plays this week, five per day. I started with Nos. 25-21 on Monday. Here's Tuesday's installment, consisting of Nos. 16-20:
No. 20
Week 14 (Dec. 7)
Caleb Williams rifles TD pass to Olamide Zaccheaus in Green Bay
On first-and-goal from the Packers' 1 in a Sunday night game at Lambeau Field, Williams took the snap from center, faked a handoff up the middle to running back D'Andre Swift and then sprinted to his right. With star edge rusher Micah Parsons closing in, Williams side-armed a pass around Parsons to Zaccheaus, who made a diving catch just inside the sideline with cornerback Keisean Nixon all over him.
According to Next Gen Stats, the completion probability on the pass was 16.9%, making it the most improbable completion of Williams' career up to that point.
No. 19
Week 12 (Nov. 23)
Nahshon Wright makes leaping interception vs. Steelers
One week after jumping high to pick off a J.J. McCarthy pass in the end zone in a 19-17 win over the Vikings, Wright produced a similar but even more impressive play when he soared in the air to intercept a Mason Rudolph pass along the Bears sideline in a 31-28 home victory over the Steelers.
The fifth-year cornerback tipped the ball with his left hand, secured it and somehow got both feet down inbounds as he twisted to the ground. The takeaway fired up Wright's teammates and led to Williams' 5-yard touchdown pass to receiver DJ Moore, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
"The whole sideline kind of ignited," said coach Ben Johnson. "[It] gave us a spark, and the offense was able to capitalize on that and score our first touchdown of the game. It's good to see that complementary football …"
No. 18
Week 3 (Sept. 21)
Tyrique Stevenson forces key turnover in win over Cowboys
After opening the season 0-2, Stevenson provided a crucial early spark in a Week 3 home matchup versus Dallas. On the Cowboys' first drive of the game, running back Javonte Williams raced around left end for 26 yards. But at the end of the run, Stevenson ripped the ball out of his hands from behind near the sideline, deftly getting both feet inbounds after gaining possession at the Chicago 24.
"We came through with timely plays when we needed it and that's a good example of it," Johnson said after his first win as Bears coach. "[Stevenson] is capable of being a big-time player in this league and I thought he played that way today."
The Bears capitalized on the turnover, taking a 7-0 lead on Williams' 35-yard touchdown pass to receiver Rome Odunze down the left sideline. Dallas eventually tied the game 14-14, but the Bears scored the final 17 points in a 31-14 victory.
No. 17
Week 3 (Sept. 21)
Caleb Williams connects with Luther Burden III for flea-flicker TD
Johnson reached into his bag of tricks against the Cowboys, calling a flea-flicker that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Burden that was the Bears' longest play from scrimmage of the season.
Williams pitched the ball to Swift, who headed into the line, put on the brakes and pitched back to Williams, who heaved a pass deep down field to Burden, who reached out and made an excellent catch. According to Next Gen Stats, the ball traveled 62.1 yards in the air, making it the longest completion in the NFL and the longest of Williams' career through that point of the season.
Williams did a masterful job of grabbing Swift's high pitch and quickly unloading the ball as multiple pass rushers closed in. "Feel like I shot a free throw," Swift said. "The ball was high. I'm glad Caleb made it work. That would have been on me if he didn't."
No. 16
Week 1 (Sept. 7)
Nahshon Wright returns interception for TD vs. former team
After appearing in only one game while spending most of the 2024 season on the Vikings practice squad, Wright returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown against his former team in the season opener at Soldier Field.
On third-and-8 from the Chicago 32 early in the second half, the Bears sent seven pass rushers after McCarthy, who threw quickly to receiver Justin Jefferson in the left flat. Wright jumped the route, picked off the pass and raced down the right sideline for the first touchdown of his five-year NFL career.
Upcoming this week:
- Wednesday (plays 15-11)
- Thursday (plays 10-6)
- Friday (plays 5-1)
