The Blocked Field Goal Curse: 5 Shocking Ways The Bears' Special Teams Unit Defined Their 2024 Season

The Chicago Bears' 2024 NFL season will forever be remembered for a handful of dramatic, season-defining moments, none more pivotal or emotionally jarring than the sudden, game-changing chaos of a blocked field goal. As of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the conversation around the Bears' special teams unit remains intense, not because of consistency, but because of two specific, high-stakes plays—one a heroic victory-saver, the other a controversial, heartbreaking defeat that sparked a formal NFL review. These two moments perfectly encapsulate the volatile nature of football's final seconds and the razor-thin margin between celebration and despair for the team.

The phrase "Bears blocked field goal" is now a dual-edged sword in Chicago sports lore, representing both the defensive heroics of cornerback Josh Blackwell against the Las Vegas Raiders and the crushing, last-second block of kicker Cairo Santos' attempt by the Green Bay Packers. Understanding the mechanics, the players, and the lasting impact of these two plays is essential to grasping the narrative arc of the Bears' recent campaign and the psychological toll it took on the special teams unit and head coach Matt Eberflus.

The Heartbreak: Karl Brooks' Controversial Game-Sealing Block vs. The Packers

The most painful of the two incidents occurred in a classic, high-stakes NFC North rivalry matchup at Soldier Field against the Green Bay Packers. This game, which took place in the latter half of the 2024 season, was a microcosm of the Bears' struggle for consistency and their inability to overcome their most hated rival.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The Final Drive and Santos' Opportunity

The Bears had managed a furious late-game rally, putting themselves in position to win the game on the final play. Kicker Cairo Santos, a reliable veteran, lined up for a 46-yard field goal attempt. A successful kick would have given the Bears a one-point victory and snapped a painful, long-running losing streak against the Packers. The pressure was immense, with the entire game resting on the special teams unit.

The Block and the Aftermath

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

As the ball was snapped, Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks executed a lightning-fast penetration, getting his left hand—specifically his middle finger—on the ball. The block sent the ball fluttering short, securing a devastating 20-19 victory for the Green Bay Packers. The silence that fell over Soldier Field was deafening, replaced only by the roar of the visiting team's celebration.

The NFL Review and Rule Controversy

The controversy immediately began. Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus was so incensed by the speed and angle of Brooks' rush that the team filed a formal report with the NFL league office, alleging that the Packers had been "on our long snapper" and potentially violated rules regarding leverage or illegal formation. The special teams coordinator, Richard Hightower, was also deeply involved in the review process. Ultimately, the NFL ruled the play was legal, confirming that Karl Brooks' game-winning block was a clean, well-executed defensive play. This ruling, however, did little to soothe the sting of the loss for the Bears faithful, who felt the defeat was snatched away by a questionable maneuver.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The Triumph: Josh Blackwell's Heroic Game-Winning Block vs. The Raiders

In stark contrast to the Packers loss, the Bears special teams unit delivered a moment of pure, unadulterated heroism earlier in the 2024 season against the Las Vegas Raiders. This play provided a much-needed positive narrative and demonstrated the unit's potential for game-changing impact.

The Raiders' Last-Ditch Effort

The Bears had fought back from a deficit to take a 25-24 lead in the final minute of the game. The Raiders, led by their offense, marched down the field, setting up their own star kicker, Daniel Carlson, for a potential go-ahead 54-yard field goal attempt with just 33 seconds left on the clock.

Blackwell's "Out-of-Body Experience"

Cornerback Josh Blackwell, a key member of the special teams coverage unit, timed the snap perfectly. He dove forward, fully extended, and managed to get his right hand on the ball, blocking the 54-yard kick. Blackwell later described the moment as an "out-of-body experience," a testament to the chaotic, adrenaline-fueled nature of the play. The block preserved the 25-24 victory, giving the Bears a thrilling road win and boosting the team's confidence.

NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

The significance of Blackwell's play was immediately recognized across the league. He was deservedly named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his clutch performance. This individual honor highlighted the critical role that specialized players, often overlooked, can have in the outcome of an NFL game. The play was a masterclass in special teams execution, a direct result of preparation and perfect timing, validating the coaching efforts of Richard Hightower.

Topical Authority: The Special Teams Volatility of the 2024 Bears

The two blocked field goals—one for a win, one for a loss—make the 2024 Chicago Bears a fascinating case study in special teams volatility. For a team striving for playoff contention and overall credibility, these moments underscore how a single, isolated play can swing the entire emotional and statistical momentum of a season.

• The Kicker's Burden: For Cairo Santos, the blocked kick against the Packers was a rare, high-profile miss that overshadowed his otherwise solid season. The mental fortitude required to bounce back from such a game-losing moment is immense.
• Defensive Special Teams Focus: The success of Josh Blackwell's block against Daniel Carlson demonstrated that the Bears' special teams defense was capable of elite execution. The play was a textbook example of gap penetration and kick-point timing.
• Coaching Scrutiny: The two plays put a spotlight on the coaching staff. While Richard Hightower's unit was celebrated for the Blackwell block, the subsequent controversy and loss involving Karl Brooks' block led to intense scrutiny of the protection scheme for the field goal unit.
• Rivalry Impact: The loss to the Green Bay Packers on a blocked kick added yet another painful chapter to the Bears-Packers rivalry, a defeat that will be replayed and discussed for years to come, further cementing the psychological hurdle the Bears face.
• The Margin of Error: Both plays reinforce the NFL's tiny margin of error. A few inches difference in the trajectory of the ball or a split-second delay in the snap time determined whether the Bears celebrated a win or suffered a crushing defeat.

The "Bears blocked field goal" narrative from the 2024 campaign is not just about a single play; it is about the dramatic highs and lows that define a season. It is a story of Josh Blackwell's heroic dive and Karl Brooks' controversial penetration, both serving as stark reminders that in the NFL, the game is often decided by the special teams unit in the final, frantic seconds.