Bears block Raiders field goal to pull off a 25-24 win

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Sep 28, 2025

Published in Football

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LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson lined up for a 54-yard field-goal try with the game on the line Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

The snap was good. The hold was good.

Then Chicago Bears special teams ace Josh Blackwell came flying in and blocked the would-be game-winning kick in the final minute. The Bears won 25-24 thanks to Blackwell’s heroics, improving to 2-2 on the season heading into their bye week.

The block came moments after quarterback Caleb Williams led the Bears on a 69-yard, go-ahead touchdown drive — culminating in D’Andre Swift’s 2-yard run — to take a one-point lead. The only problem was the Bears left the Raiders with 1 minute, 34 seconds remaining on the clock.

A 38-yard kickoff return by Dylan Laube set up Las Vegas at its 42-yard line — nearly in field-goal range already. Quarterback Geno Smith swiftly moved the Raiders offense within Carlson’s range. Facing fourth down at the Bears 36 with 38 seconds remaining, the Raiders had no choice but to kick it.

Blackwell flew in from the edge and got his hands on the ball enough to deflect it. The Allegiant Stadium crowd, with many Bears fans in attendance, erupted as the Bears raced across the field in celebration.

It was a somewhat remarkable win for the Bears, who struggled all afternoon to move the football. The Bears defense came away with four takeaways, but the offense struggled to turn those into points.

The Bears mustered only six points off three first-half takeaways. Kicker Cairo Santos made two field goals after Raiders turnovers, and the Bears turned it over themselves on the other opportunity.

Safety Kevin Byard III had two interceptions and the Bears forced a fumble that cornerback Tyrique Stevenson recovered. (Stevenson added an interception in the second half.) Those three turnovers gave the Bears offense the ball at the Raiders 24-yard line, the 20 and again at the 24.

But the offense was stuck in the mud the entire half, totaling 90 yards. Williams threw an interception in the first quarter on a ball that Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby tipped into the air and then corralled.

After halftime the Bears offense came alive just enough to eke out a pair of touchdown drives. Williams connected with wide receiver Rome Odunze for a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Then came the 69-yard, game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Santos finished 4 for 4 on field goals.

Williams finished 22 of 37 for 212 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Odunze had four catches for 69 yards and a score.

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