Bears strategic contingency plan paid off in a massive way to pull off a win against the Commanders in Week 6
Kicker Jake Moody stepped up in a huge way for the Bears.
The Chicago Bears were forced to make a last minute roster decision that had the potential to cause some major implications leading up to the game against the Washington Commanders.
After experiencing a flare up with a right leg muscle injury, starting kicker Cairo Santos was unable to play in Week 6, forcing the Bears to turn to backup kicker Jake Moody, who was elevated off the practice squad ahead of the game.
The former San Francisco 49ers third-round pick was released by his former team due to inconsistent play earlier in the season and joined the Bears on September 12th. The signing was more of a contingency plan to have just in case on the roster, a decision that paid off in a big way.
Bears kicker Jake Moody came through in a massive way during Week 6 win
All around it was an unfavorable scenario for Moody, or any kicker to be honest. Short notice, on the road, and in dreadful weather conditions, yet the team’s backup kicker didn’t bat an eye.
Moody started the game with three field goals from 47, 48, and 41-yards before having his fourth attempt blocked from 48-yards. It was a bad missed opportunity for the Bears, but the team gave Moody a chance to make up for it on the final drive. And, as time expired, Moody walked back onto the field and nailed the game-winner from 38-yards out in pouring rain.
“For what he was able to do, coming here, I know he’s had some tough times recently, but being able to come in here, rainy, windy, and all this, and come through for us, proud of him,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said after the game. “Happy for him and happy for us as a team.”
Now’s not the time to bring up an kicking controversies in Chicago between Moody and Santos, but what Moody was able to do on Monday night was impressive and showed the Bears made a smart and calculated decision adding him to the practice squad as an emergency option.
“I wasn’t surprised at all,” Johnson added after the win. “We’ve seen him in practice now for a number of weeks and we also know what he’s capable of. He’s made big kicks in big games over the course of his career so far. None of it was surprising. I think that’s who he is and I think that change of scenery was good for him.”
All in all, Moody accounted for 13 points in the team’s 25-24 win. A new hero story was written for the Bears with the unlikeliest protagonist no one could have expected coming into the game. What a moment for him and for the Bears, earning a third straight victory, including two straight on the road.
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