Chicago Bears Defeat Colts: Ten Things

Aug 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears kicker

(9) kicks a field goal against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

One of the bigger disappointment since Lovie Smith’s departure was the decline of the Bears special teams.  Devin Hester packed his bags and went to Atlanta while Dave Toub took his talents to Kansas City to help old pal Andy Reid.  As a result, the Bears third phase has been an afterthought.  What used to be a strength was a major weakness the last couple of seasons.  If the first couple of weeks of the preseason are any indication, I think the Bears special teams are back toward respectability.

The Bears picked up Marc Mariani last season and he’s proven to be a great pickup.  The former Titans return specialist helped the Bears flip the field against the Colts on Saturday night and appears to be a lock to be the Bears returner in Week One against the Packers.

Besides the return game, kick coverage was strong.  The Colts average starting field position was the 15-yard line while the Bears average starting point was the 41-yard line.  If the Bears want to stay competitive in 2015, they’ll need that kind of production from their special teams.

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