What a time to be a Chicago Bears fan!
For the first time in my nearly 12 months as a HuddleUK writer, the boys in navy blue won a regular season game while still playoff eligible.
The impressive 31-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys has re-energised the fanbase, and came on a day when I was travelling back home from the big smoke (London).
As I arrived through the door and turned on the TV, the Bears were already sitting on a 7-3 lead. What happened next has been described by Barstool Chicago as “the coolest play ever”. That may be hyperbolic but in the eyes of fans starved of a meaningful regular season victory since 13 October 2024, we will allow.
At their own 35-yard line, on 1st-and-10, the ball was snapped to Caleb Williams, who shovel-passed the rock to running back D’Andre Swift. Swift then nonchalantly – almost too nonchalantly – tossed the pigskin up in the air back to Williams, who by this point had retreated past the Chicago 25-yard line.
Upon safely securing the ball, Williams proceeded to launch it downfield in the direction of Luther Burden III. Burden, who is a rookie I had previously noted as someone who will gain huge yards after catch numbers, gathered the ball at Dallas’ 20-yard line to gain the easiest 20 yards after a catch you will ever see.
The last couple of yards were covered by skips of delight as he nailed his first-ever NFL touchdown. I let out a shriek of joy to be greeted by derision from my son, as he questioned if I was sure that it was actually Chicago who had scored.
This was a prime example of a ‘flea flicker’ play.
“What is a flea flicker?” I hear some of you ask? Well, let me tell you…
The flea flicker!
The flea flicker is a trick play that will hopefully fool the defense into believing that a run play is about to be executed, when in fact a pass is about to be thrown.
Upon the quarterback handing the ball off to the running back, the defense positionally adjust to close in on him. In particular, the safeties may shift forward and take their eye off the receiver they were assigned to, believing him to no longer be a threat.
As the running back then ‘flicks the flea’ to the quarterback, and the realisation occurs that a pass play is about to ensue, the safety is wrong footed and already a number of steps behind the receiver.
The play and name are both credited to legendary University of Illinois coach Bob Zuppke, who intended the phrase to evoke the quick, flicking action of a dog getting rid of fleas.
It was perhaps apt that FOX had assigned Tom Brady as colour commentator for this game, as Brady has executed some of the more notable flea flicker plays in NFL history.
The highlights
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game of the 2017 season, Brady connected with Chris Hogan for a 34-yard touchdown pass from a flea flicker.
The Patriots eventually ran out 36-17 winners, before triumphing in the Super Bowl two weeks later.
Last Sunday, Brady was on hand to provide US TV viewers with an expert dissection of the play. This included him informing viewers that Burden was running a ‘high seven route’, his punditry perhaps several levels above that of Channel 5 – who would have no doubt been dissecting a hot dog at this point in time.
So, the Bears move on to Las Vegas, and all indications are that the bandwagon is in full flow.
Vivid Seats have disclosed that this is the most in-demand resale ticket of the week, with an average selling price of $523, and a forecast 50/50 fan split.
For context, the Raiders’ first home game of the season saw an 86% home fan attendance over the Los Angeles Chargers. Games between the two teams are a rarity, and the last time the Raiders beat the Bears, I was there. Not in Oakland or Las Vegas, but London.
The Raiders edged out the Bears 24-21 following a valiant Bears comeback that day. Hopefully, a more positive result will be earned this week!
