4th Phase Game Ball Week 7: Devin Hester

Oct 20, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) runs with the ball past Washington Redskins defensive back Jose Gumbs (48) to make a touchdown in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

As depressing as the Bears loss was, there are positives to take away. With Jay Cutler leaving the game with an injury that looks to be serious enough to miss at least a few weeks, Josh McCown did his best to keep the Bears in the ball game. It’s too bad the defense couldn’t keep up their end of the bargain. McCown finished 14 of 20 for 204 yards and a touchdown. If McCown can play solid, mistake-free football, and Marc Trestman can call plays that maximize the offense’s strengths, the Bears can stay afloat until (hopefully) Cutler comes back.

As much as I want to give McCown the 4th Phase game ball, the nod goes to Devin Hester. In the second quarter, Hester returned a punt for 81 yards for a touchdown tying his mentor’s, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, NFL record with his 19th return for a touchdown. Hester already has 13 punt returns a TD, extending his own record.

With the third worst defense in points allowed (206) and sixth overall in yards, the Bears will have to rely on the offense and special teams to pull off victories.

Check out Hester’s record tying run below: