Of course this is how Bear-Packers, Week 17, got started. What looked like a bone-headed play ended up being one of the savviest plays of the season.
Cordarrelle Patterson had Bears fans scratching their heads when he darted to the sideline and touched down the football at the one-yard line on the game’s opening kick. But upon further review, Patterson was out of bounds when he touched the ball, causing an illegal kick penalty and giving the Bears the ball on the 40-yard line.
It was such a bang-bang play that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur tossed the challenge flag— a rare sight on the first play of the game.
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But the call on the field ended up standing as called, and the Bears used the great field position to march for a touchdown.
While there’s still plenty of game left, Patterson’s heads up play may have set the tone for a big day of Bears offense.