Special teams click for Chicago Bears
December 23
Chicago Tribune columnist Fred Mitchell
"The Bears are onto something with their winning special teams formula.
Monday night it was the kickoff returns of Danieal Manning, the blocked field goal by Alex Brown, the punting of Brad Maynard and yet another overtime field goal by Robbie Gould to keep the Bears alive in the NFC playoff chase.
Manning averaged 29.3 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 70-yarder. Brown's block of Mason Crosby's 38-yard field-goal attempt in the final minute of regulation forced the OT. Gould booted the winner in overtime from 38 yards out for the 20-17 triumph.
"I was just fortunate enough to make that play," Brown said. "Everybody had great push on that block. It was a great play.
"This has been pretty much a playoff atmosphere for us the last few weeks. If we lose, we're out. We had to make a play. This is the season right here. And stinkin' Green Bay … they wanted to ruin it for us."
The Bears need to win at Houston on Sunday and have the Giants beat the Vikings to win the division title.
"We can't do anything about Minnesota," Brown said.
"We have to do our part. I know one thing. They're going to have to fly some 'division champ' hats down there because there's a chance. We got a chance. They should fly some down."
Gould kicked the winning field goal in overtime for the second straight game at Soldier Field.
"I don't really think about much, other than make the kick," he said. "I get all the glory, but it's not just me. It was a total team effort.""
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