Bears Struggle with Special Teams in Loss to Vikings

The Chicago Bears faced another challenging game with their special teams, leading to a loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The game, held on November 24, 2024, saw a notable moment when the Bears had their first field goal attempt blocked. This attempt could have provided them a 10-7 lead in the second quarter; instead, it set the Vikings up for a scoring opportunity, allowing them to take a 14-7 lead.

The previous week’s issues seemed to carry over, as last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers also saw a last-second field goal blocked. Bears coach Matt Eberflus expressed his frustration to the officials regarding the block, continuing a complaint from the previous week where he believed the Packers had illegally lined up opposite the Bears’ long snapper. However, the league office had clarified that Eberflus was mistaken in his claims.

Notwithstanding the special teams’ mishaps, the Bears had some positives on the field. Jonathan Owens, making his first start of the season at safety, delivered a strong performance. Owens executed a crucial play by stripping the ball from Vikings running back Aaron Jones, halting the Vikings’ first drive. His defensive contributions were noteworthy throughout the game.

However, the Bears’ offensive unit will need to deliver more robust performances in upcoming games, alongside improvements from their special teams, if they intend to turn around their current form.