Bears use punt return to score touchdown – NBC Chicago

The Chicago Bears ran a unique play Sunday afternoon to take an early lead against the Green Bay Packers on a punt return.

The trick play unfolded with DJ Moore on the field for the Bears at the punt return point. The receiver faked the Packers by pretending to go for the ball, which was actually caught on the other side of the field by Josh Blackwell.

Blackwell then drove to the end zone for a 94-yard touchdown to stun the crowd at Lambeau and give the Bears the lead.

According to Pro Football Reference’s Stathead tool, the punt return touchdown was the first for the Bears in over three years, with Jakeem Grant’s 97-yard touchdown at Lambeau Field in December 2021 being the last time the The team had achieved the feat.

Additionally, the return was tied for the third longest in Bears history, tying Dennis McKinnon’s 94-yard return in September 1987, according to the website.

For those curious, Devin Hester’s longest punt return as a member of the Bears came in 2007, when he returned an 89-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, the touchdown is the first for the Bears in the first quarter of a game since November 24 against the Vikings, and also marks the first time the Bears have held a lead since that date.

The Bears aim to end an 11-game losing streak against the Packers on Sunday.