The Vikings expected the Bears to do more to clean up FG protection

The Packers identified an issue with the Bears’ field goal attempts in Week 11 that led to a block on Cairo Santos’ game-winning field goal attempt, and the Bears did not correct the issue prior to Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

Santos’ kick was blocked by Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery in the second quarter of the game, and the game was a deciding score as the Vikings cruised to victory heading into overtime. Safety Theo Jackson said the Vikings knew they had a chance because Santos kicks with a “low trajectory,” and linebacker Pat Jones II said he was surprised to see the team didn’t change the safeties after Sunday’s loss.

“This is quite rarebecause usually teams go to clean up what they need to clean up. . . You always expect teams to fix things, but we knew if they didn’t fix it, we would sort it out ourselves,” Jones said, via ESPN.com.

Santos, who made a field goal that sent the game to overtime, said he takes “blame for the stink we have on our mowing team right now,” but that it’s an issue that goes beyond one player and involves immediate attention after playing such a large role in subsequent losses.