Any hero is an unlikely one the way the Bears’ offense has been running lately. But Ben Braunecker qualified on multiple levels Sunday. He doesn’t start. He rarely plays. He’s a tight end in an offense that doesn’t seem to know how to use one. And he’s Ben Braunecker, a former undrafted free agent who always seems like the last tight end on the roster.
But for one magical moment against the Lions at Soldier Field, the fourth-year pro from Harvard, heretofore known for how smart his is, finally was celebrated for how good he is. Braunecker’s fabulous reaching catch for an 18-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the first half not only gave the Bears the lead, but provided a psychological boost by breaking a five-game stretch without a first-half offensive touchdown.