Here is a pretty odd explanation as to why the Bears did not kick a field goal from the 30-yard line.
Chicago Bears fans were left dumbfounded after their coaching staff elected to punt from 48 yards instead of going for a field goal on fourth down.
The Bears had worked their way to the Philadelphia Eagles' 31-yard line and were well within field goal range. However, a series of incomplete plays saw them lose ground, with a fourth-and-27 situation staring them in the face.
While fans may have expected them to go for the field goal, however, they instead elected to punt, despite being so close to the opposing end zone. Kicker Trenton Gill instead trudged onto the field to punt downfield.
Here is what Cairo Santos said on the subject:
«We didn't feel like above 45 (yards) was a kick that was good to risk field position,» Santos said, via NBC Sports Chicago. «It was just out of the range. A kick at the end of the half or the end of the game, I think I could've gotten it from 49, but like I said, not the one to give up field position.»
And here is another potential explanation from Bears writer Larry Mayer.
There was a strong wind blowing out of the south (16 miles per hour at kickoff) and Cairo Santos informed coaches before the game that his range heading in that direction was from the 27. So when the Bears faced fourth-and-26 from the 30, they opted to punt, and Trenton Gill's punt was downed at the 9. Said coach Matt Eberflus: "[Santos'] kick line was 27 yards with the wind. When it was there at the [30], we were out of our kick line. We were going to take a delay, punt and pin. Did a pretty good job of punting and pinning. I believe Philadelphia did the same thing. They were at the 33 That's the way the wind was out there. It was tough sledding out there in the kicking game." The situation with the Eagles that Eberflus referred to happened in the third quarter when they also passed up a field-goal attempt from the 33 heading in the same direction. On fourth-and-6, Jaylon Johnson broke up a Jalen Hurts pass intended for A.J. Brown, turning the ball over on downs.
| POLL | ||
20 DECEMBRE | 44 ANSWERS Here is a pretty odd explanation as to why the Bears did not kick a field goal from the 30-yard line. Do you think the Bears punting instead of a 48-yard field goal is an example of them "tanking" for a draft pick? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 43.2 % |
| No | 25 | 56.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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