The Chicago Bears played in a predictably tight football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Once again though, it looked like it would end in utter heartbreak. With memories of the epic collapse during the Marion Barber Game back in 2011, the Bears watched a 10-point second half lead evaporate. The bottom came when Denver scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with just 30 seconds remaining to take a 14-13 lead. It was the absolute nightmare scenario. Until Eddy Pineiro got involved.
Aided by a roughing the passer penalty on Denver, the Bears offense somehow managed to eek their way down the field. Then on 4th and 15 with nine seconds left, Mitch Trubisky overcame a forgettable day with a huge conversion to get a 1st down with one second left. This set up a 53-yard field goal attempt on Pineiro. Knowing this team’s history at kicker, not a lot of fans were feeling confident.
They needn’t have worried. Pineiro has enough confidence for everybody. “Eddy Money” was exactly that, burying the kick right down the pipe to send the Bears to a stunning 16-14 triumph.
Eddy Pineiro may have just altered the Bears’ season
That field goal didn’t just win the game. It may have completely altered the course of the Bears’ season. From the beginning, it felt like something was wrong with this team. Like a dark cloud was hanging over it. Not a surprise after what happened to them back in January. Cody Parkey and that Double Doink kick against the Eagles seemed to be haunting them, no matter how hard they tried to escape it.
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Suddenly, it feels like all the pressure has lifted thanks to this one moment. Pineiro proved that Parkey is in the past. He is the kicker in Chicago now and the team can do something they haven’t been able to in years. They can trust him to deliver when it matters.
