The Chicago Bears needed until the last play of the game to keep the winning streak going. More specifically, they put the game on Cairo Santos' leg, and, given his recent history of struggles, fans were not feeling good about it.
Fortunately for the team, the 34-year-old veteran didn't flinch. He put his woes behind him with a walk-off field goal from 48 yards to secure a huge win on the road and get back at the Minnesota Vikings with a 19-17 win. Unfortunately for fans, that is likely to overshadow his continued struggles and further solidify the Bears' steadfast Santos support.
Cairo Santos Survives Trip to Minnesota (but That Could Be an Issue Long-Term)
The Bears had to call on Santos time and time again in Sunday's win, which usually wouldn't be something you'd expect to lead to victory. His 5 field goal attempts were tied for the most a Bears kicker has recorded in a single game in years. But at the end of the day, despite the ongoing struggles fans have been subjected to, you have to admit that he delivered.
But while going 4-of-5 (including nailing his only 50-yarder) is an improvement from what we've seen on the season, it didn't erase the long-term concerns.
His weak leg continues to be a major limiting factor in his value, and the fact that the Bears typically don't even attempt field goals in the long 50-yard range with Santos helps to artificially inflate his accuracy rate.
Jake Moody isn't the most accurate kicker out there, coming up well short of Santos' career marks even on 50-plus yarders (where Moody is a career 50% kicker and Santos has hit 65%). But Moody looked good in his opportunities earlier this season, and his raw leg strength clearly overshadows Santos'.
It's easy to understand why the Bears might want to take a cautious approach to this situation, even if they aren't as high on Santos as we might think. Moody has already been elevated twice from the practice squad, so another call-up would use the last of his potential elevations. Any in-game appearances after that would need to have him signed to the 53-man roster.
Moody, who also struggled with the San Francisco 49ers before being cut, went four of five in field goal attempts and three of three in PATs in two games with the Bears. Santos has been fully healthy since his quad injury earlier in the season, and unless that changes, it doesn't sound like the Bears will consider pulling the plug on him.