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Marc Trestman blew it for the Chicago Bears, not Robbie Gould

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

After an emotional Sunday that started with his wife giving birth in Chicago, included a middle-of-the-night flight to Minnesota and a missed opportunity to set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal, Bears kicker Robbie Gould blamed himself for the missed 47-yard field goal in overtime that eventually led to Chicago’s loss in Minnesota.

“It’s on my shoulders. You want to put the blame somewhere, it falls right on me.”

That’s a stand-up move and a great future lesson in personal responsibility for the son that was born early Sunday morning. But any blame going around Chicago shouldn’t be on Gould. It falls squarely on coach Marc Trestman.

The Bears had great field position for their second possession in overtime, starting at their own 47-yard line with 7:17 remaining. After five straight runs by Matt Forte, Chicago faced a second-and-7 from Minnesota’s 29-yard line. Instead of continuing to feed Forte, who had 120 yards rushing and gained 7, 4, 9, 1 and 3 yards on the five runs that drive, Trestman sent in Gould, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Gould missed, Minnesota won the game on the next drive and Chicago’s playoff chances took a devastating hit.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

After the game, Trestman explained his decision to kick a 47-yard field goal on second down rather than trying to gain some extra yardage.

“We were definitely in range and I didn’t want to, at that point, risk a possible penalty that would set us back, or a fumble or something unique. There’s no guarantee that we would get any yards on second down or third down.”

Fine, but how many penalties get called on up-the-middle running plays? Not a lot. How often does Forte fumble when he’s in “protect the rock” mode? Rarely. Wanting to avoid penalties is understandable, but nothing’s ever guaranteed in the NFL, certainly not a field goal, even with the most accurate kicker ever. (Gould is 72% on field goals between 40 and 49 yards. The 47-yarder, obviously, is at the high-end of that range.)

Why not run another play and try to get a few more yards — Forte was clearly good for it. At the very least, the Bears would still kick from 47 on third down. At best, Forte gets to third-and-short and the Bears run some more plays to put the kick in Gould’s comfort zone — he’s 95% from within 40 yards.

But Trestman thought he’d play it safe. Ironically, by being cautious, the coach was actually cavalier. He believed Gould’s 72% chance of making the field goal was better than his offense’s chances of gaining extra yards. In no way was that the proper percentage play. Trestman, not Gould, deserves blame for Chicago’s loss.

 

 

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