Thursday night was a gut punch for Chicago Bears fans when kicker Cairo Santos missed a 53-yard field goal with eight minutes left against the New England Patriots, the ball clanging off the right crossbar and keeping the Patriots stubbornly in the game. The Bears had a lead for the entire game and were primed to go up by two scores, making that miss sting even more.
The Ghost of Doinks Past Haunts Soldier Field
That 53-yard miss wasn’t just any old shank, either. It was a straight-up *doink* off the right crossbar. Tell me that didn’t bring back some truly ugly memories for anyone who follows the Bears. We’re talking about the infamous “Double Doink,” when Cody Parkey’s 43-yard field goal miss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the January 2019 wild-card playoffs would have sent them to a win. Ouch. And just to rub extra salt in that fresh wound, Amazon Prime, of all places, decided it was the perfect time to air a highlight of that 2019 “Double Doink” with Al Michaels’ voice haunting the broadcast. You can imagine the reaction online. Fans were already on edge with every single thing seemingly going wrong despite the team holding a lead. This moment just amplified all that stress.
From Crossbar Clang to Career-Long Clutch
But here’s where the story takes a turn, because sometimes, even when it feels like the football gods are actively conspiring against you, things work out. Thankfully, Santos’ doink didn’t actually cost the Bears immediately. The defense, bless their hearts, stepped up big time on the ensuing possession and got a crucial stop, keeping the Patriots from capitalizing. And then, as if to prove that some kicks just need to clear that bar, Santos went out there and redeemed himself. Big time. With less than two minutes left in the game, he drilled a career-long 58-yard field goal, pushing Chicago’s lead to nine points. From a cringe-inducing crossbar clang to a clutch, career-defining boot. That’s the kind of roller coaster ride that defines early-season football.
What a wild finish for Chicago, showing they can shake off a brutal misstep and still close out a win. It was a true test of nerves and a moment that will probably be replayed in highlight reels all season, not just for the doink but for the unbelievable redemption that followed. You have to wonder what’s next for Santos after such an emotional swing in one game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply