With 1 minute, nine seconds remaining in the game, the Packers called for
Tim Masthay to punt toward the left sideline on a fourth-down play at the Bears' 46-yard line. According to receiver/returner
Johnny Knox, the Bears "knew he was going to kick it that way because their scheme and what hash they were on."
As a result, Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub called for a
return the team had practiced but obviously not run in a game. Knox,
lined up as a "jammer" against Packers "gunner"
Jarrett Bush, turned and sprinted down the left sideline at the snap. At the same time, Packers punt returner
Devin Hester sprinted toward the right sideline, along with eight Bears blockers.
And so did the entire Packers cover team, even though they knew the call was for a punt in the opposite direction.
"We all went with Hester," Bush said. "You have to kind of respect
it because Hester is the dynamic returner that he is. Everybody went
that way. I knew the ball was supposed to go a different way. But I
couldn't find it."
As Hester called for a mock fair catch on the right sideline, Knox
fielded the punt on the other side and began sprinting upfield. The only
player that saw it happen was Masthay, and the one blocker the Bears
kept with Knox --
Winston Venable
-- shielded Knox down the sideline for the most unique touchdown play
I've ever seen. Rarely, if ever, will you see 10 NFL players get fooled
the way the Packers were in this case.
The score would have closed the deficit to 27-24, putting the Bears
in position for an onside kick and a possible possession to tie or win
the game. But officials called Bears special teams ace
Corey Graham for holding on the right sideline, nullifying the score.
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