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.

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.