The Chicago Bears will look to win their first game in three weeks as they host the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Chicago lost a heartbreaking shootout against the Miami Dolphins by a final score of 35-32, in which one of the Dolphins’ touchdowns came on a Bears’ blocked punt. The costly special teams mistake by Chicago is becoming a negative recurring trend that has cost the Bears several wins this season.
Bears’ Mistakes on Special Teams Have Played Key Roles In Final Outcomes Of Games
There were low expectations heading into the 2022 season for the Bears as they began a rebuild after getting rid of several quality defensive veterans this past off-season. Despite low expectations for a young roster that lacks talent, first-year head coach Matt Eberflus’ team has played with dedication and focus in most of their games. Only two of Chicago’s six losses this season have been by eight points or more.
Andrew Van Ginkel scoops up the blocked punt and returns it for a TD. #Bears have been very good on special teams this season. This was a costly error.#Dolphins lead 21-10, 8:25 remaining.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 6, 2022
Although four of the Bears’ losses have been by eight points or less, there have been vital mistakes, especially on special teams, that have played a significant role in the outcome of their games. In Chicago’s Week 4 loss to the New York Giants, rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr dropped a punt return that was recovered by New York late in the fourth quarter. Instead of quarterback Justin Fields having a chance to lead the Bears offense on a potential game-tying touchdown drive, which would have forced overtime, the offense only got the ball back again with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
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Two weeks later, against the Washington Commanders, Jones would fumble another punt return which Washington recovered at the Bears’ five-yard-line. The Commanders would score a touchdown a few players later, giving them a 12-7 lead with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Fields and the Bears’ offense were unable to score a game-winning touchdown at the end of the game as Chicago lost. Had Jones not fumbled the punt, The Bears likely win the game 7-6 as the Commanders’ offense struggled to move the ball and generate points all night.
Velus Jones Jr. with ANOTHER fumble on a punt return. This time, inside his own 10 yard line, as he was attempting to field the ball from his knees. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 14, 2022
Against Miami, Jones was inactive for the game due to his mistakes as the team’s punt returner and at the wide receiver position. Chicago’s special teams still made a costly mistake as in the second quarter, punter Trenton Gill’s punt was blocked by Andrew Van Ginkel and returned for a touchdown. The special teams’ mishap proved to be the contributing factor as the Bears lost by less than a field goal, as both teams failed to score on their final two offensive possessions of the game.
Despite the recent success of the Bears’ offense, the team is not built to overcome self-inflicted mistakes, with the three crucial mistakes contributing significantly to Chicago losing games rather than winning. If Jones doesn’t fumble twice and Gill’s punt isn’t blocked, Chicago could have either a 6-3 or 5-4 record right now if they won those games. Either of those potential records would be good enough for the Bears to be in the NFC Playoff picture.
If things continue moving in the direction they are, we may look back at the ten days between the Commanders loss and Patriots win as the most important ten-day period in the modern history of the Chicago Bears.
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) November 8, 2022
The Special Team Miscues Have Robbed Other Bears Players of Having Special Moments
The other unfortunate aspect of the costly mistakes on special teams is that they have taken potential opportunities away for other players on the Bears to shine, especially Fields and the offense. Jones’ fumble against the Giants robbed Chicago’s second-year quarterback of generating a clutch late-fourth-quarter game-tying drive which would have been vital for his development as a quarterback. Instead of having a standout moment with three minutes left, Fields was placed in a virtual no-win situation on the team’s final possession with only seconds to work with.
Chicago’s loss against Miami robbed Fields of a career-defining victory as he set several NFL records. The Bears’ second-year quarterback broke the NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 178 and was the first player ever to throw three touchdown passes while rushing for over 140 yards. Had Chicago won the game, Fields’ performance would have been more prominent national news, with the game going down in history as one of the best games in franchise history.
Breaking a Michael Vick record. 😳
An unreal performance from @justnfields ended with him having the most rushing yards by a QB in a regular season game (178).
Oh, he had 4 touchdowns too. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/69t6dXFciK
— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2022
With the fumble against the Commanders, the Bears’ defense was robbed of having their best game of the season. Without the fumble setting Washington with a goal-to-go situation, Chicago could have won the game 7-6 with their defense allowing the fewest points this season. Additionally, defensive starters, including Eddie Jackson, Dominique Robinson, Jaquan Brisker, and Kyler Gordon, had their chance to make a defensive highlight that could have sealed the victory taken from them.
The Bears are performing better than expected this season but are not a talented enough team to overcome costly mistakes. The mistakes on special teams have been fatal, as those miscues contributed to losses, especially when Chicago had a chance to win. There are eight games left in the 2022 season, and the Bears can’t afford to lose another close game because of those significant mistakes.
Sure, Smith looks like a Ravens fit for now, but there is NO WAY they’re resigning him and Lamar. Ones gotta go at the end of the year and my money is it’s not Lamar.
That punt block is SOLELY on Herbert. Dude did a little Ole block and let the guy steam by unresisted.
Russ below wants the Ravens to lose. Good luck as they appear to have solid coaching in all aspects of the game. In addition to the dafting choices of the Bears it is also imperatve that we fill in the coaching ranks with the best people available.
@Moonshine. I agree 100%. NEVER want to root for a lose…but.. we NEED more talent. (too contend). The team I’m rooting for to LOSE is actually Baltimore, since our 2nd round pick is there’s. (and 5th too, right?) The worse they do the higher those 2 picks will be… plus I can ROOT for a lose for another team. I’m not even rooting against GB. I actually want them to win a few meaningless game so they draft stock is later. (Yup it’s ALL! about DA bears ; ) lol, right!!?) Having said that.. I’m SOOOOO impressed with Poles that… Read more »
I think, Bears have enough receivers not to even think about drafting one. Think the draft will be about the lines. Offensive and defense. Think we need to take a timeout on the offensive line for a minute and see if they can Jell at all. Plus, Leatherwood. With 9 draft picks and 120 mil, should at least get you somewhere with a good QB.
This is something worth looking at. I wonder if Poles and Eberflus are paying attention to this. Usually, when a trend like this develops, somebody’s head rolls at the end of the year. In this case, it wouldn’t necessarily be the players because the only guy that could actually be a target would be VJJ. No, I’m thinking more likely it’s going to be the special teams coach- Richard Hightower. If things don’t get cleaned up on special teams, the last eight games of the season, then Hightowers head will be on the chopping block.