Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur share icy handshake after Bears’ playoff upset

Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur shared an unforgettable moment. The two coaches exchanged a strikingly brisk handshake after the Chicago Bears stunned the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in Saturday’s NFC Wild Card playoff game. Johnson’s team mounted one of the most dramatic comebacks in playoff history on his head-coaching debut.

An Icy Moment at Midfield

Johnson raced across the field to shake hands with LaFleur after the final whistle. The encounter lasted mere seconds, far shorter than typical postgame pleasantries between rival coaches. Prime Video broadcast analyst Mike Tirico immediately noticed the frosty interaction on air.

Johnson turned about 45 degrees and darted off before the handshake concluded. Tirico’s commentary said it all: “That’s a very cursory handshake. No love lost between these two.” The tension between the coaches had been simmering since Johnson’s hire and their head-to-head rivalry now intensifying.

The Historic Comeback Nobody Expected

The Packers dominated early. Green Bay scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions, racing to a commanding 21-3 advantage at the break. Every indication pointed toward a Packers blowout victory advancing to the divisional round.

Then Caleb Williams and the Bears flipped the script entirely. Chicago’s defense tightened the screws as Williams orchestrated an improbable second-half offensive explosion. The quarterback led multiple scoring drives, refusing to let his playoff debut end in defeat.

Key Players Power the Stunning Turnaround

Factor	Chicago Bears	Green Bay Packers
Star QB	Caleb Williams (led comeback)	Jordan Love (early dominance)
Key Receiver	DJ Moore (winning TD)	Multiple early scoring drives
Tight End Impact	Colston Loveland (8 catches, 137 yards)	Defensive struggles in 2nd half
Final Outcome	Victory in playoff debut	Eliminated from playoffs

Loveland was absolutely instrumental. The tight end caught 8 passes for 137 yards in the second half alone, consistently moving the chains when the Bears needed crucial first downs. Moore then delivered the dagger, streaking down the left sideline to pull in the 25-yard touchdown reception with 1:43 left on the clock.

“That’s a very cursory handshake. No love lost between these two.”

— Mike Tirico, Prime Video Play-by-Play Announcer

Johnson’s First Test in the Spotlight

Ben Johnson took over the Bears just this season after three years building Detroit‘s explosive offense as coordinator. Now in his playoff debut as a head coach, his team proved they could weather adversity against their fierce division rivals.

The Packers had every reason to feel confident. Green Bay had beaten Chicago earlier in the season on a last-second Williams interception. This rematch had the potential to be a statement game for LaFleur’s squad heading into the postseason.

What’s Next for Both Franchises After This Intense Playoff Battle?

The Bears advanced to face a divisional-round opponent, their storybook season continuing to unfold. Chicago led the entire league with six comeback victories during the regular season, and they just added another unforgettable one in January.

The Packers watched their playoff hopes evaporate. Green Bay had controlled the game for two entire quarters, only to see it slip away in devastating fashion. LaFleur and Johnson won’t shake hands this way again soon, but this rivalry just took on even more meaningful weight.

Sources

• ESPN – Final score verification and game statistics from Bears vs. Packers Wild Card playoff game
• CBS Sports – Live coverage and play-by-play updates from the January 10 playoff matchup
• Yardbarker/5 GOATs – Handshake details and postgame analysis between Johnson and LaFleur