Sixth-year cornerback used his instincts to end Bears comeback hopes

Wes Hodkiewicz

GREEN BAY The interceptionKeisean Nixonwas hunting for all season finally found the Packers cornerback on Sunday and it could not have possibly come with better timing.

In the waning moments of a knock-down, drag-out battle with Chicago for first place in the NFC North, Nixon sprinted across the formation on fourth-and-1 to mirror DJ Moore in the Bears' backfield until the sixth-year veteran defender noticed tight end Cole Kmet come free and dart towards the end zone.

Peeling back, Nixon backpedaled and leapt into the cold Green Bay night to pluck Caleb Williams' pass into his hands and preserve a 28-21 victory over the Packers' biggest rival in front of 78,214 at Lambeau Field.

Nixon entered Sunday's matchup with the Bears as one of the NFL leaders in pass breakups, but it marked his first interception of the 2025 season.

"That's what you want," Nixon said. "You want the best players to make the big plays when the back is against the wall and you've got to win. It's fourth-and-1, there's no bigger play than that."

The Packers' defense couldn't have gotten off to a much better start than it did on Sunday. Green Bay forced Chicago to punt on each of its first three possessions while allowing just 71 yards and three points in the first half.

The Bears' only scoring drive was partially aided by Nixon drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty after a tussle with Bears receiver Luther Burden, who appeared to initiate the altercation by placing his hand on Nixon's throat.

The Packers' cornerback said afterwards he wasn't surprised to get flagged.

"It's a division game. It's going to always be like that," Nixon said. "We want that smoke. We'll see 'em again in two weeks. I ain't changing."

Despite Green Bay taking a 14-3 lead into halftime, momentum flipped in the third quarter. The Bears scored on three straight possessions, ending with a 17-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that ate 8 minutes, 32 seconds off the clock and tied the game at 21 with eight minutes remaining.

The Packers' offense responded with an eight-play, 65-yard drive of its own, with running backJosh Jacobsstaking Green Bay to a 28-21 lead on a 2-yard TD with 3:32 left in regulation.

Like he'd been doing for most of the second half, Williams hit two explosive plays a 27-yard completion to Burden and a 24-yard pass to Devin Duvernay to get back in scoring territory.

Chicago ran the clock down to 27 seconds with three straight Kyle Monangai carries, the last of which went for no gain after defensive linemanKingsley Enagbarestopped him on third-and-1.

The Bears opted to pass on fourth-and-1, with two receivers underneath and only Kmet downfield. Afterwards,Evan Williamscredited Nixon for "saving his butt" because Kmet was his guy but the safety bit underneath on the out routes.

"Kind of off instinct took off and played the flat and was praying that somebody was behind me to make the play on the corner (route)," Williams said. "And sure enough, like, Jesus himself, '25' comes out the blue and makes a play. I was just like thank you, thank you so much."

It was a big moment for Nixon, a former undrafted free agent who has owned the Packers' top cornerback role since Jaire Alexander's departure from the team this past summer.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound cornerback cut his teeth as a two-time All-Pro kick returner before graduating into a starting defensive role the past two seasons. He currently is tied for second in the league with 16 passes defensed this year.

Jacobs has known Nixon since their rookie season together with the Oakland Raiders in 2019. Nixon had some growing to do back then, but Jacobs now views him as one of the hardest-working teammates he's ever had.

The two talked in the offseason about the big shoes Nixon had to fill in Green Bay's secondary and what it would take to silence his doubters. Sunday was another step to making that happen

"Just to see the way he responds and the belief that he has in himself, I'm proud of him, man," Jacobs said. "Just to see him come in as a rookie and didn't really have a good work ethic. Was a little chubby coming in and just seeing him where he's at now, as soon as he came to this point, how he dedicated himself to football and how he slowly each year and really each week he's gotten better at his position."

Nixon had a fourth-quarter interception two years ago against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but this had meaning on multiple levels.

For starters, the Packers leapfrogged the Bears for first place in the NFC North at 9-3-1 with four regular-season games remaining. But individually, it was important to secure the first interception this season for Green Bay's cornerback room.

"I've been trying to get my hand on the ball all year," said Nixon, who also had two tackles, two PBUs and a quarterback hit. "I thought I was going to get Yeah, I wanted that bad. I wanted it so bad. So I'm thankful for it, for sure."

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