London—- In a surprising twist, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet confronted his biggest football fear without any prior warning.
In an unexpected turn of events, Kmet not only scored two touchdowns but also stepped in as an emergency long snapper during the Bears’ 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kmet successfully handled snapping duties after each of Caleb Williams’ four touchdown passes and D’Andre Swift’s 1-yard run, contributing to the Bears’ third consecutive win, marking their first three-game streak in nearly four years.
“Definitely not a position I envisioned playing in the NFL — ever,” Kmet remarked, referring to his new role. “It’s my biggest worry going into the game.”
After starting long snapper Scott Daly suffered a knee injury, Kmet was called upon. Although he is the emergency long snapper due to his experience in high school, he only practices snapping a couple of times a week.
“Thankfully, I didn’t have to deal with any punting situations,” he noted.
The Bears’ punting concerns were minimal, as they only punted after their first two drives.
Keenan Allen also shone in the game, catching two touchdown passes. He led a celebration after his 9-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, and his second touchdown extended Chicago’s lead to 28-10 early in the fourth.
“When he’s in a groove like that and all the balls are catchable, it makes it easier to play receiver,” Allen said, praising Williams’ performance. “Week in and week out, he’s getting better. When we pick up the tempo, he becomes more comfortable, allowing him to read defenses faster.”
The Jaguars (1-5) had a strong start but faltered when Gabe Davis dropped a potential touchdown pass after being penalized for a false start, resulting in only a field goal on their opening drive.
Davis later caught two touchdown passes from Trevor Lawrence in the second half, with the last one bringing the score to 35-16.
Kmet’s 31-yard touchdown reception put the Bears ahead 7-3 in the second quarter, showcasing their no-huddle offense. He later caught a touchdown pass with just 13 seconds remaining in the half, capping an 85-yard drive that included two impressive scrambles from Williams.
“Once the ball is snapped, you have to focus on your post-snap read and be confident,” Williams said.
The rookie quarterback, selected as the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards, throwing four touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 56 yards on four carries. Kmet finished with five receptions for 70 yards, and Swift rushed for 91 yards on 17 carries.
After receiving a vote of confidence from owner Shad Khan, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson acknowledged his team’s mistakes during halftime, stating they had “self-inflicted wounds.”
When asked if he still felt Khan’s support, Pederson responded, “I do. I was just with him, and I do.”
“We need to find a way to stop getting in our own way and just play football,” he added. “I know it sounds easy, but it’s challenging. We didn’t expect to be in this position, and now we have to find a way to improve.”
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for four games, fumbled on the first drive of the third quarter. The Bears capitalized, with Allen scoring his first touchdown as a Bear shortly after.
Lawrence completed 23 of 35 passes for 234 yards, throwing two touchdown passes and one interception. Engram had a notable game, making 10 receptions for 102 yards.
This marks Chicago’s first three-game winning streak since late in the 2020 season.
Sights & Sounds:
Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, currently on Jacksonville’s practice squad, was seen interacting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell before the game, highlighting the league’s commitment to international growth.
Injuries:
Jaguars: Safety Darnell Savage and cornerback Jarrian Jones were evaluated for concussions following a collision in the third quarter.
Upcoming Games:
– Jaguars: They will remain in London to face the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium.
– Bears: They will have a bye week before facing the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
