Every year it seems like the Chicago Bears are targeted by some of the most baffling penalties the NFL can dream up. Everybody remember the absurd taunting penalty last season in Pittsburgh which cost them the game. Somehow the officials managed to top themselves on opening day at Soldier Field. After a miserable offensive first half, the Bears finally eeked into position for a 47-yard field goal. Everything seemed going as planned when kicker Cairo Santos came onto the field.
Then things got nuts. Punter Trenton Gill hoped to give his kicker some decent footing and so used a towel to wipe a spot for the plant foot. That drew a 15-yard flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. Everybody in the stadium and at home were struck dumb by the ruling. Nobody could understand how that rule made any sense, even when the actual rule was laid out in words. It specifies snowy conditions, not rain.
It didn’t matter. The Bears were booted out of field goal range and had to punt.
Per the #NFL rulebook: "Players may help clear snow, using only their hands or feet (no towels, etc.)"
Apparently that was interpreted to include rain/water. pic.twitter.com/sG5jHd0JTq
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) September 11, 2022
Every time something good happens for them in recent years, the refs step in with some awful calls. The only solace to take from the entire fiasco is the Bears are only down 7-0. They are still very much in the game. Unfortunately, the offense can’t seem to generate any momentum in soaked conditions against a great 49ers defense. The odds are San Francisco will start scoring more in the second half, so they can’t afford to stay stuck in the mud.
It is a tough early test for head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff. Bad conditions against a great opponent. That is the hand you get dealt sometimes. It’ll be interesting to see how he manages the situation. Finding a way to get Fields going would be a nice start. He can’t expect the defense to do everything.
