Chicago Bears Week 13 Milk Carton

After the Vikings drove down for a field goal against the anemic defense, the Bears were set up shop with a good Devin Hester return. McCown took a sack (held on to it too long) and then got a pass to Jeffery with about a second left on the clock. Instead of going for a hail mary against the Vikings depleted secondary, the Bears opted to try a freaking 66 yard field goal. I know Robbie Gould is generally a great kicker, but I think the chance of Alshon Jeffery or Brandon Marshall catching a hail mary is substantially higher than the chance of anyone kicking a 66 yard field goal. Overtime ensued.

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) attempts a 47 field goal as punter Adam Podlesh (8) holds but it misses right to keep the Minnesota Vikings still in play in overtime at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears opening drive of overtime was decent, but ultimately stalled. The Jared Allen late hit was a terrible no-call, but that’s beside the point. After the Bears threw the game away a second time by letting the Vikings run get the ball into field goal range, a Vikings Penalty gave the Bears the Hannukah present; the ball, in overtime, around midfield. Forte ripped off nice runs, and the Bears were driving. It was 2nd and 7 from the 29, and Robbie Gould comes walking out. He missed the field goal. The Vikings drove down and won. I know that a 47 yarder is a reasonable kick, but come on. Who, in the name of Payton, Halas, and Ditka, kicks a field goal on second down in overtime? I mean, I understand doing it on third down. I get the reasoning behind trying it from like the 15 yard line, but a 47 yarder on  second down? The Bears weren’t even in the territory where a third down field goal was reasonable! They were in “grind out yardage or surprise them with a quick pass until it’s fourth down” territory. Trestman justified it by saying that he didn’t want to risk a penalty or turnover or whatever. This is a terrible excuse for a boneheaded decision. Under that logic, why not kick it every time the Bears have a second down in field goal range? It’s the NFL, wins are SOOOO EASY to come by, so it’s not like you ever need to be aggressive or anything! Robbie Gould missed the field goal, but that doesn’t excuse the playcalling. The Vikings secondary was made of bubble gum and sticks. A pass to Jeffery or Marshall for a first down wouldn’t have hurt. Kick a field goal later. There was plenty of time on the clock.

I like Marc Trestman. I think he is a good man and a smart football coach. That being said, he has a lot to learn. In the NFL, there are four downs. This year has been the year of the “George Halas is rolling in his grave” games. And as bad as the Lions game was, this one was more painful to watch.

What do you think?  Does someone else deserve the distinction of being on the Week 13 Milk Carton? Who else disappeared?