I still can’t believe Cairo Santos nailed that 58-yard field goal, which became the difference-maker in the Chicago Bears’ 30-24 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday. Ben Johnson continues to coach unafraid, and as great as Caleb Williams played, there’s no doubt that Santos bailed out the quarterback after he took a sack on third down that momentarily made Johnson think about punting.
We’ve seen the interaction that led to the decision to give Santos another chance after the kicker missed a 53-yard field goal with less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. An injury timeout gave everyone an extra moment to think, and ultimately, Johnson trusted Santos.
The Prime cameras cut to Johnson on the Bears’ sideline, and as we’ve come to expect, the second-year head coach was stoic and offered little after Santos sealed the victory for Chicago. But we’re not all Ben Johnson, and running back D’Andre Swift, who was right beside the Bears’ head coach, gave us the most relatable reaction to the clutch kick.
Swift, who struggled to get into the game in the first half against the Patriots’ defense, finished with 78 rushing yards, adding 12 more on four catches. Swift made a valiant effort, looking banged up early on, but the team still leaned on the veteran, with Swift finishing with 22 of the team’s 24 rushing attempts from the running backs.
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While Johnson was as cool as a cucumber after his gamble paid off, Swift embodied every Bears fan watching at Soldier Field, at a bar, or at home. Let’s be honest: you didn’t think Santos was going to make that kick either, and the relief on Swift’s face after the ball split the uprights says it all.
Same, D’Andre, same hahahahaha!
But credit where credit is due. Fans will probably never feel confident about the power in Santos’ leg, but you can’t argue with how accurate he’s been throughout his career. And while he missed the 53-yard attempt earlier in the fourth quarter, he had the distance, so it was great to see Johnson show belief in his guy, and he came through in a big way.
The weather was nearly perfect on Thursday night, but that doesn’t change the fact that making long field goals at Soldier Field is tough for any kicker. Santos’ 58-yarder wasn’t just his career-long; it’s now the third-longest in Soldier Field history, tying Robbie Gould’s 58-yard field goal from 2013. Will Reichard and Matt Prater both hold the record for the longest made field goal at Soldier Field, each converting from 59 yards.
Good shit, Cairo. Glad to be proven so wrong.
