No surprise here: Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Blackwell made one of the best plays in the NFL so far this season Sunday when he blocked a 54-yard field goal by Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson that would’ve won the game in the final minute. Instead, the Bears held on for a 25-24 victory and went into their bye week 2-2.
It’s the second time Blackwell has won the award in his four-year career. He also had a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown on a trick play in the final game last season against the Packers.
BLOCKED BY BLACKWELL 🚫
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/hGuxIKIQZ3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 28, 2025
Bears punter Tory Taylor and tight end Cole Kmet each won the award last season as well.
The Bears trailed the Raiders for much of the game Sunday in Las Vegas before taking the lead on running back D’Andre Swift’s two-yard touchdown run with 1:34 left. The Raiders quickly got inside the Bears’ 40-yard line, though, and were poised to pull ahead again as Carlson lined up on the left hash.
Blackwell, coming from Carlson’s right, timed the snap perfectly and raced in for the deflection to seal the win.
Bears safety Kevin Byard was a good candidate for Defensive Player of the Week with two interceptions and seven tackles, including one for loss, but lost out to Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell had five pass breakups and five tackles, allowing just two catches for six yards on nine passes thrown his way.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams won NFC Offensive Player of the Week the previous week for throwing four touchdown passes in a win over the Cowboys.
