Chicago Bears: 3 Big takeaways from Week 3 win vs. Cardinals

Cody Parkey helped save the win

When was the last time you heard someone say this — the kicking game helped save the win for the Bears. Well, Cody Parkey did that in Arizona.

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Parkey had himself a good game. Yes, he missed an early field goal (a 46-yard attempt). He went 3-for-4, though. In addition, he had five kickoffs and all of them ended up as touchbacks. He didn’t give the return team a chance to make a good return.

There have been times when kickoff returns hurt the Bears. Returners gave their team good field position. With Parker, the opposing offense had to go 75+ yards to get a touchdown. When that happens, the likelihood of scoring touchdowns is low.

This is the type of game the Bears wanted Parkey. Last season, they lost three games by three points. Having a better kicking game could have helped win those games. That’s the difference between a 5-11 season and an 8-8 season that gives fans hope.

This week’s game was just like those games. Instead of missing key field goals down the stretch, however, Parkey made them. That was the difference between a win and an upset loss. That may also be the difference between another losing season and a chance at the playoffs.