Vikings expected bears to do more to clear FG protection

The Packers identified an issue with the Bears’ field goal operation in Week 11 that led to a block on a game-winning attempt by Cairo Santos, and the Bears were unable to eliminate it ahead of Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

Santos had a kick blocked by Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery in the second quarter of the game and the play loomed over proceedings as the game went to overtime before the Vikings secured a victory. 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 their protection plan after last Sunday’s debacle.

‘That is quite rarebecause normally teams are going 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 were going to get one,” Jones said, via ESPN.com.

Santos, who kicked a field goal to send the game to overtime, said he “takes the blame for the stink we have right now about our field goal unit,” but it’s a problem that goes beyond one player and it’s there one that should demand immediate attention after playing such a big role in back-to-back losses.