Perhaps the unit that was facing the most pressure this season, the Chicago Bears’ special teams have been a strength of the team this season.
Punter Pat O’Donnell is having a solid season — averaging 47 yards per punt, including a long of 75 yards — as well as kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson, punt returner Tarik Cohen and special team star Sherrick McManis.
But there’s no doubt that kicker Eddy Pineiro has been the most impressive, especially given the circumstances that surround his roster spot in Chicago.
The Bears haven’t had a reliable kicker since Robbie Gould, who they released in 2016, but that’s changed with Pineiro, who the Bears traded for in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick to the Raiders.
In five games, Pineiro has connected on 8-of-9 field goals, including two from beyond 50 yards. One of those was a 53-yard game-winning field goal against the Broncos. Pineiro’s lone miss came from 44 yards against the Redskins, where he was kicking through a pinched nerve in his right kicking leg.
Pineiro, who has connected on all of his extra points, was also named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Broncos, where he connected on 3-of-3 field goals.
Here’s a look at Pineiro’s season so far:
