The Packers’ 18-point lead the Bears erased made it their fourth biggest comeback in franchise history, including regular season and playoffs.
Johnson’s team entirely flipped the script: After allowing touchdowns on Green Bay’s first three possessions, the Bears scored TDs on their final three drives after being held out of the end zone through the first three periods.
“Watching the tape, it’s just credit to them for being able to [overcome] a 21-3 deficit there at halftime,” Johnson said. “Defense bowing up in the second half, only allowing six points, and then offense slowly chipping away and finding a way there, last three possessions to score touchdowns.”
On special teams, Cairo Santos made all three field goals he attempted, including a 51-yarder that’s the longest in Bears postseason history. In addition, Devin Duvernay had returns of 37 yards on a punt and 29 yards on a kickoff.
“Duvernay had a heck of a game for us,” Johnson said. “Cairo came up big for us. Those conditions at Soldier Field this time of year are not advantageous for many kickers and yet Cairo has proven that he’s a guy that we cannot just trust, but he’ll come through for us when we need him the most, so that was great to see.”
Johnson credited the coaching staff for doing “a phenomenal job throughout that game, just staying calm, cool and collected, and making the necessary adjustments that we needed to make to help our guys out the most.”
“And the veteran leadership showed up as well, particularly at halftime,” Johnson added. “No one was panicking or anything like that. There’s a belief with this team that shows up each and every week. It’s kind of who we are here at this point.”
