Santo takes full responsibility for blocked field goals |
CHICAGO - Chicago fans are not used to their defense being the ones to let them down. The offense struggled in overtime with a quick three-and-out. For the Bears to give up a 10-play, 68-yard drive to lose the game is unusual for Bears fans, who are used to seeing the defense as the bright spot.
However, it was the offense that kept Chicago alive. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 103.1. His completion percentage was 68 percent on 47 passing attempts. His two touchdown drives and a 27-yard strike to wide receiver DJ Moore after the successful onside kick recovery allowed the Bears to have a chance in overtime. For defensive leaders like safety Kevin Byard, it is difficult to see the defense let down the team, but he is proud of Williams for his performance. “It’s hard to think about the future right now, but (I am) proud of (Caleb Williams). Back-to-back games, I feel like he’s played well … Credit to him,” Byard said. “We all know he’s a phenomenal player. He’s a gamer when you get in those late-game situations. The team has full belief in him to go out there and execute. Just more upset with how we played on defense today.” Special teams took center stage once again. Kicker Cairo Santos was in the spotlight for the second week in a row. After having the game-winning 48-yard field goal blocked against the Green Bay Packers, he had a 49-yard field goal blocked against Minnesota. Afterward, he redeemed himself at the end of the regulation against the Vikings. This time, the 48-yard field goal was not blocked. He made the kick, which allowed Chicago to have a chance in overtime. It has been difficult for Santos to have two games in a row with a blocked field goal, but he takes full responsibility for those missed kicks. “I feel like part of it is just unlucky that we’re getting the trajectory of the ball going over the line and they’re getting that penetration exactly where (because) sometimes, they make a good rush. But, the ball starts kind of in a different part of the line to make the (goal) post and (the kick still) goes through, but it could have (gotten) blocked had the ball start on that line. So, it’s just kind of matching the good rushes from them and good penetration and the ball starting that way. But, like I said, I kick a certain way here that’s resulted in a lot of success. But, if things are happening, I’m working to get those changed so I can control that on my end as well,” Santos said. “It’s hard for me to go on and change because I just don’t see a mis-hit, low-kick type of low-kick. But, I do have more of a piercing, driven ball flight just to help me make more kicks in the windy situations and (the) wind wasn’t too bad, but it’s always windy here. (I) always try to hit the ball the same. But, this week, obviously, I’m always looking for how can I maximize my height with my ball flight so I don’t have to rely on playing the wind as much. So, it’s a learning curve for me too and I take full responsibility on that.” The Bears will face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving (11:30 a.m. / CBS) in their third division matchup in a row. Chicago will be looking to avoid a six-game losing streak and get their first road win of the season.
