Bears Hit a Bump in the Road With Loss to the Packers
By Coach Boss
Now to get to the coaching decisions during the game:
The first head scratcher I’ll discuss is the onside kick. It reminded me of the Saints onside in the Super Bowl a few years ago. It was unexpected and should have worked. Players were just not paying attention to where the ball was. If it had worked, Trestman is a genius and Joe D is semi-redeemed; it didn’t so now the call looks like a bad one. Trestman saw the need for an extra possession and took a chance. I thought it was a smart and calculated risk.
The 2nd was a set of interesting decision(s) during the last minute before halftime. I understand running on 1st down on the 1st play of the drive, it caught GB off guard and you never know when RB Matt Forte is going to bust off a big run. What I didn’t understand was the 2nd play of the drive; another run and then no time out. The offense wasted a good 10 seconds which would have allowed them at least 1 extra play. It hurts that TE Martellus Bennett‘s great day (9 rec for 134 yds and his 1st 100+ yard receiving game in his career) is overshadowed by the fact it looked like he cut off his route about 6 inches too shallow and there was no video evidence to prove he made it into the end zone.
The 3rd decision was throwing the challenge flag on QB Jay Cutler‘s (potential) 3rd interception. The play was automatically being reviewed and Trestman threw the challenge flag, apparently unaware he didn’t need to. This error cost the team a time out early in the 4Q. I understand the angst most fans have but the rule book found here is not exactly clear on the ruling. Regardless, it is a rule and the HC needs to be aware of these things. As smart and as detail oriented Trestman is, this one kind of surprised me.