Ben Johnson’s “Good, Better, Best!” post-game rah-rah speech is always a treat. But this week’s installment felt a little bit different. Not just because it came after a thrilling overtime win against the Packers, but also because it came with Johnson handing out a whopping FOUR game balls. And it’s not like there was anyone who didn’t deserve it.
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Ben Johnson’s Week 16 Game Balls
These players earned game balls from Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson in Week 16:
CAIRO SANTOS
Have you noticed Cairo Santos’ in-season turnaround? Well, it’s time to change that if you haven’t already done son. Santos made all three of his field goals (including a 51-yarder) and his lone extra-point try in Saturday’s win against the Packers. He also executed the onside kick that led to the game-tying score. This has been a tumultuous year for Santos, and it would have been easy for Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson to pull the plug on the veteran kicker — especially after his early season struggles. But things have been trending in the right direction for Santos as of late.
The Brazilian-born kicker has made 13 of 15 kicks (86.7 percent) in his last seven games, which is more in line with the 88.3 percent career mark he has with the Bears and further from the 78.6 percent mark that he had in his first six games. My anxiety levels when Cairo kicks are down from where they were earlier in the year. So while I’m not sure what exactly is behind the in-season improvement, but it’s working. If Santos keeps up the good work, perhaps more game balls are in his future.
Ben Johnson walks along the sideline during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesJAHDAE WALKER
I loved what Ben Johnson said to reporters about Walker getting the equalizer touchdown:
“To the people that haven’t been in the building it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh you’re going to the undrafted rookie on fourth down?’ We see what he does every week. We see how he goes about his business. There’s a reason we didn’t expose him to the waiver wire and someone poach him after the preseason. We see a bright future for this guy and he’s done nothing but steadily improve over the course of the season. The coaches trust him. Caleb trusts him.”
It feels good to see a player’s hard work that began at rookie minicamp pay off in a rivalry game.
The Jahdae Walker is an organizaiton-wide success story. Credit the scouts who had a hand in bringing Walker to Chicago and coaches who have helped his development. Every year, it seems like a training camp and preseason darling makes their way onto the season-opening roster. It makes for a fun summertime story to follow. But rarely do we see one go from spending a chunk of the year as a healthy scratch to making a pivotal touchdown catch in the biggest game of the year in December.
Jahdae Walker (20) celebrates after catching a six-yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesJOSH BLACKWELL
Josh Blackwell already received NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his Week 14 field goal block sealed a win for the Bears against the Raiders, so we’re no strangers to his excellence in the third phase. But still … it is nice to see Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson acknowledge the special teams. Two special teamers getting game balls after beating the Packers? What a time to be alive!
DJ MOORE
Of course DJ Moore was getting a game ball from Ben Johnson. With all due respect to quarterback Caleb Williams, it was his top receiver who deserved the fourth and final game ball that was handed out after Saturday night’s win. Catching the game-winning touchdown in overtime by beating the guy in coverage who laid you out with a cheap shot earlier in the game is a moment I’m sure Moore will never forget.
On Episode No. 14 of the BN Bears Podcast, we handed out some game balls of our own. Check it out:
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