The Bears continue their quest for an elusive two-game winning streak, looking to string together consecutive victories this weekend for the first time since November 2015. Coming off their 27-24 overtime triumph over the Ravens, the Bears will host the Panthers on Sunday. As their preparation continues, here’s what we learned Thursday in Lake Forest.
The Bears are looking to reboot on special teams after two major lapses in Baltimore.
Special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers was careful with his wording Thursday when asked for his thoughts on Bobby Rainey’s 96-yard kickoff return touchdown for the Ravens on Sunday. Josh Bellamy appeared to trip up Rainey, who tumbled to the ground at his own 24. But the whistle never blew. The play remained alive. And Rainey sprung to his feet and sprinted for a touchdown.
“A lot of our players stopped,” Rodgers said. “All their players stopped. There were players from both teams who came on to the field from the sideline. So there were a lot of people who thought the play was over.”
As for the game-tying 77-yard punt return the Bears surrendered with 1 minute, 37 seconds left in regulation, that came after the Ravens packed 10 defenders in near the ball, prompting the Bears to bring in their gunners — Bellamy and Cre’Von LeBlanc — to account for a possible block attempt.
With return man Michael Campanaro back, the Ravens sent two players after the punt and double-teamed Bellamy and LeBlanc. Given that the Bears had eight other players going after Campanaro with only four Ravens blockers to account for them, Rodgers asserted Thursday that he was more disappointed in the coverage on the play than he was with Pat O’Donnell’s 53-yard punt down the middle of the field.
“Obviously,” Rodgers said, “we should have the advantage in that situation. We didn’t spread our coverage out enough and they took advantage.”
Added Bellamy: “In that situation, when you’re getting double-teamed on the outside, you need your interior guys to get down the field and make those plays. At the same time, as a gunner, you have to try to get out and find a way to contain the play.”
Vic Fangio praised his defensive backs’ return skills.
The Bears snapped their five-game interception drought with a pair of picks in Sunday’s victory. But it wasn’t just the takeaways that satisfied their defensive coordinator. Bryce Callahan returned his interception 52 yards to set up a 21-yard touchdown drive. Adrian Amos took his 90 yards for his first career touchdown.
At day’s end, Bears defensive backs accounted for more return yards (142) than the receivers, running backs and tight ends had receiving yards (134).
“Those are really the hidden yards,” Fangio said. “Those 142 yards were instrumental in that game. We had a lot of guys doing some good blocking after we got the interceptions. And we had (two) guys doing some good running. Those were very nice plays and direly needed in a game that went into overtime.”
The Panthers are dealing with a handful of significant injury issues this week.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly has yet to practice after suffering a concussion in last week’s Thursday night loss to the Eagles. It might be wishful thinking for the Panthers to expect Kuechly will be cleared to play this weekend. Starting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee) also has missed the first two practices of the week.
Three Bears missed practice Thursday: Markus Wheaton (groing), John Timu (left knee and ankle) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring).
Twitter @danwiederer
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