The Broncos made the daring decision to kick off and punt to the Bears’ exemplary returner, Devin Hester. The strategy backfired in the second half Sunday when Hester returned not one, but two kicks for touchdowns that were pivotal in the Bears’ stunning 37-34, overtime defeat of Denver. Broncos reporter Mike Klis offers his analysis.
The plays: After the Broncos opened the second half with a three-and-out, Hester returned a punt by Todd Sauerbrun 75 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 13-13. After the Broncos regained the lead on a touchdown by Cecil Sapp, Hester returned Sauerbrun’s kickoff 88 yards to tie the game again at 20-20.
Point/counterpoint: When it comes to Hester, it’s a matter of picking evils. The Green Bay Packers, who know the Bears better than anybody, had Mason Crosby kick away from Hester on all five of his kickoffs Oct. 7. The Bears’ average starting field position: the 38-yard line. The Packers suffered their only loss of the season.
Future prospects: The Broncos played it right by kicking to Hester — until he scored the first touchdown. Because of the impact field position has on every game, teams should always first try to kick and cover Hester. But once he got his first TD, he never should have had a chance at a second. The Bears did not move the ball until their final drive in regulation. The Broncos should have let someone else beat them. By the way, the Broncos don’t play the Bears in 2008 or 2009.
