The Chicago Bears are owners of back-to-back wins thanks to Sunday's 25-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Although there's plenty to celebrate in the Windy City now that the Bears are .500 again, a repeated mistake from special teams coordinator Richard Hightower nearly cost his team the game again.
After taking the lead with just under 90 seconds remaining in regulation, the Bears were forced to kick the ball off to the Raiders. With the new kickoff rules put in place this season, a touchback moves the ball from the 30 to the 35-yard line. As a result, we are seeing more teams keep the ball in the field of play to force a return.
Bears' Blocked FG Saved Chicago From 3rd Loss After Repeated Mistake
Much like the closing minutes of Week 1, Chicago allowed the opposition the opportunity to return the kick rather than just booting it out of the end zone. Bear fans had to feel deja vu coming on as Chicago, once again, declined to force the touchback and allowed the Raiders to run the kickoff back to their 42-yard line.
That difference of seven yards might not seem like much, but after seeing how things played out at Allegiant Stadium, this is a mistake the Bears cannot afford to make a third time. Las Vegas was able to move the ball to Chicago's 36-yard line, setting Daniel Carlson up with a chance to put the Raiders ahead with 38 seconds left on the clock. Given that Carlson has converted on over 87% of his attempts in his career, the outlook looked grim for the Bears and Hightower.
That's when Josh Blackwell stepped up.
The backup cornerback came up clutch when the Bears needed him the most. Blackwell flew off the edge and got enough of a hand on Carlson's attempt to keep it from getting anywhere near the uprights, preserving the win for Chicago. In what was arguably the biggest play of the four-year veteran's career, the Bears needed every inch of the full extension made by Blackwell on the blocked attempt.
While the opinion of fans in the moment can be more emotional than anything, their calls for Hightower's job were coming in fast and furious as Las Vegas moved into field goal position. Whether Blackwell's block saved Hightower's job or not, if a move were to be made, this would be the time that'd make the most sense, as the Bears are entering their bye week.
Hightower and the Bears will have their upcoming bye week to get their special teams situation straight before facing the Washington Commanders in Week 6. Chicago cannot afford to let this scenario play out again, especially if making the playoffs is the top goal, and that message needs to be hammered home to Hightower by head coach Ben Johnson between now and then.