Chicago Bears: 5 factors that can lead to a Super Bowl run

4. Improved special teams play

Special teams for the Bears seemed to be all over the place in 2019. One game, it seemed like Chris Tabor’s unit was able to provide the spark that the Bears needed and the next game, it seemed as if the special teams was nowhere to be found.

To improve on special teams in 2020, two things need to be done: First, the Bears need to be better in the return. On kickoffs, the team would average just 26.6 yards per return, which is good but not great. Keep in mind that the Bears offense was also horrendous in 2019 and failed to take advantage of this. The only real bright spot in the return game was Cordarrelle Patterson, who averaged 29.5 yards per return.

Second, kicking needs to be better. The Bears went through a kicking carousel last offseason and the results in 2019 saw Eddy Pineiro convert just 82.1 percent of his field goals. Considering the Bears gave up a 2021 seventh-round pick for Pineiro, that number needs to increase.

Bad special teams play also cost the Bears entire games at times in 2019. Look no further than the Bears’ week eight matchup at home against the Los Angeles Chargers where the game ended as a result of a missed field goal by Pineiro. The reason? Pineiro didn’t like where the ball was placed.

Everyone is focused on just the offense or defense, however, good special teams play is also an integral part of any team looking to make a Super Bowl run. If Tabor can stabilize this unit in 2020, it will end up benefitting the entire team.