“It’s well-deserved,” said coach Ben Johnson. “He came through for us, and it really wasn’t the first week that he’s done that. We’ve kind of put him in some positions there throughout the season so far where fourth quarter and we need to close the game out and the ball tended to find his hands. He’s that type of guy; when he’s called upon he’s going to answer it. And the bigger the moment, he’s going to rise to the occasion.
“He did a great job there last week. It’s a good stepping stone for us. He’s exactly what we thought we were acquiring when we drafted him and so I’m very pleased with that.”
Loveland’s 58-yarder is the longest game-winning TD reception by an NFL tight end since 2015 and the third longest in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime by any rookie since at least 1970.
His first TD came midway through the third quarter on a 5-yarder from Williams that gave the Bears a 24-20 lead.