Punter stops touchdown when Seahawks fool rest of Bears team with brilliant

First, the Seahawks did their best Dave Toub impression with a trick play on a punt return – Richard Sherman caught and returned a punt from Patrick O’Donnell that went left, while the coverage and blocking teams went near Tyler Lockett. That drive still wound up frustratingly short of the end zone, though, Seattle kicking a field goal on the final play of the half.

If this fake punt looks familiar, it should, especially to the Seahawks. The Bears punted the ball toward the Seahawks’ sideline, but Lockett ran toward the Bears’ sideline and acted as if he was going to catch the ball. The Rams pulled off the same trick last season against the Seahawks.

If the Bears had an opportunity Sunday, it died in a failed replay review.

After the Bears snapped the ball from their own 41-yard line, O’Donnell unleashed a high, hanging kick. They couldn’t create big plays, but Forte ran well for the most part, helping the Bears possess the ball for six minutes longer than Seattle in the first half.

They were so convinced the call would be overturned that they sent their offense on the field during the review. Seattle’s only score in that time was set up by Sherman’s 64-yard punt return. After failing to record a sack this season, two different Bears – Pernell McPhee and Jarvis Jenkins – recorded two apiece.

The offense followed suit in the third quarter, turning the game into the blowout it was expected to be in Seattle’s home opener even after Marshawn Lynch sat out the second half because of a hamstring injury. The Seahawks running back did not start Sunday’s game, remaining in the locker room, and only took the field on the third possession.