The Chicago Bears’ chance at a playoff upset was spiraling through the air Sunday, a deep shot from quarterback Mitch Trubisky sailing perfectly toward the end zone at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Javon Wims’ chance at redemption was floating down into his grasp. The Bears had a well-timed, well-executed gadget play dialed up and a legitimate chance to make something of their playoff opportunity in New Orleans. They had an opportunity at least to threaten the Saints.
Only what should have been a 40-yard touchdown pass — on a play that started with a direct snap to David Montgomery and included an end-around pitch to Cordarrelle Patterson, a reverse to Trubisky and that aforementioned deep ball — finished with Wims letting the football slip through his hands and to the ground.