Chicago Bears: The good, bad, and ugly from Rams game

Not so Special Teams

In a close game, like the one the Bears played in last night, the final outcome can and is likely determined by one or two plays. In many of those instances, it’s a key special teams play (good or bad) that swings the balance.

Fans have already seen special teams cost the Bears a win this season when the unit failed miserably against the New England Patriots. It gave up both a 95-yard kickoff return and a blocked punt return for touchdowns. The Bears ended up losing by seven points, so those 14 given up by special teams was the difference.

Then, there was the infamous Cody Parkey game in which he doinked four kicks off the uprights (two field goal attempts and two extra point attempts). While the Bears won that game comfortably, it was still concerning.

Then there was their play last night which fortunately did not come back to haunt them. In reality, but for the Bears incredible defensive effort, it very well could have cost them the game.

First, there was the fake punt. About halfway through the second quarter, on 4th and 7 from their own 28-yard line, the Rams converted on a fake field goal. Had the Bears stopped them, they would have been set up, at the worst, to come away with three points. The most irritating thing is that based on punter Johnny Hekker‘s history, Chris Tabor knew this was likely.

Next, we come back to Parkey. With 2:45 left in the fourth quarter, up nine points, Parkey missed a chip-shot 38 yarder. While he has been much better since his meltdown against the Lions, this was another concerning risk. Again, while it didn’t hurt the Bears, in a one-possession game, that could have cost them again. Special teams have been, to put it bluntly, bad this season. They will need to tighten things up as they move into the postseason.