Chicago Bears: 3 takeaways from loss to Green Bay

Ye of little faith

I recently wrote about Eddy Pineiro and how his misses in the preseason were not what concerned me. Rather it was the Bears apparent reticence to utilize the kicker on longer field goals. We heard all offseason about Pineiro’s big leg and how strong it was.

However, they passed on a long field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the preseason (after making a long one) and did the same the following week against the Tennessee Titans. In each instance, they chose to go for it on fouth-down. Granted it was the preseason, but it was curious how they refused to test him out.

Then last night, in a game that actually mattered, they did the same exact thing. Down 7-3 late in the third quarter, the Bears had a 4th and 10 from the Green Bay 33 yard line. Instead of attempting a 50-yard field goal which would have made it a one-point game. You never know how things will play out but maybe Mitch doesn’t force that pass to Allen Robinson that was picked off by Adrian Amos and instead they kick the game-winning field goal.

So why didn’t they kick it? Who knows. As I mentioned in my piece last week, it doesn’t appear they trust the kid or have confidence in his ability. It can’t be the distance. In fact, the kick he made earlier in last night’s game would have been good from 57 according to StatCast. So 51 was in his range last night which consisted of perfect weather conditions. Again, if the Bears don’t have faith in their kicker, then why is he their kicker? Let the kid rip it.