LONDON — (AP) — Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet faced his biggest fear in football without warning.
In the blink of an eye, you could say.
Kmet scored two touchdowns and was called for emergency duties during Chicago’s 35-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The tight end successfully broke after each of Caleb Williams’ four touchdown passes and D’Andre Swift’s 1-yard plunge as the Bears (4-2) won their third straight game for the first times in almost four years.
“It’s definitely not a position I envisioned playing in the NFL, ever,” said Kmet, who caught two touchdown throws in the second quarter. “(That’s) my biggest worry going into the game.”
After long snapper Scott Daly left the game early with a knee injury, Kmet got the call. Even though he’s the designated emergency long snapper — because the team found out he did it in high school — he only takes a few snaps a week in practice.
“Luckily we didn’t need to do any clearing scenarios,” he added.
No, the boats were not a problem. The Bears punted after their first two drives, and not again.
Keenan Allen also caught two touchdown passes. He directed a tea party after his 9-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, and his second score gave Chicago a 28-10 early in the fourth.
“When he’s in a rhythm like that and all the balls can be caught, it’s pretty easier to play catcher,” Allen said of Williams. “Week after week, he gets better. Obviously, when we accelerate the tempo, he is much more comfortable. He’s able to see things quicker and defenses can’t make every move.
The Jags (1-5) started fast, but Gabe Davis dropped a pass in the end zone — after being whistled for a false start — and Jacksonville settled for a field goal on its first drive.
Davis then caught two touchdown passes from Trevor Lawrence in the second half – the second made it 35-16.
Kmet made two tackles on a 31-yard touchdown reception to give Chicago a 7-3 lead in the second quarter when the Bears shuffled with no huddle to spark their offense.
Williams found Kmet in the end zone with 13 seconds left in the half to complete an 85-yard drive, which included the rookie quarterback rushing for 23 yards on one play and 19 on another.
“Obviously you study and watch and do all these other things. But, you know, once the ball snaps, you have to read that post-snap, know what you have to do and have confidence in it,” Williams said.
Williams, the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, finished 23 of 29 for 226 yards with the four touchdown passes and one interception. He had 56 yards on four carries.
Kmet had five receptions for 70 yards. Swift ran 17 times for 91 yards.
Jags coach Doug Pederson, who got a vote of confidence from owner Shad Khan on Saturday, told the NFL Network at halftime while trailing 14-3 that his team had “self- inflicted injuries.”
Pederson was asked after the match if he thought he still had Khan’s full support. He replied: “Yes. I was just with him, and I do it.
“We have to find a way to get out of the way and just play football,” Pederson said. “I say that, and it sounds easy, but it’s hard. It’s a difficult game to play. We didn’t expect to be here in this place, and now we have to find a way to get out of this.
Jags tight end Evan Engram, returning from a hamstring injury that cost him four games, fumbled after a reception on Jacksonville’s first drive of the third quarter. The Bears turned that into points when Allen scored his first touchdown with the team.
Lawrence completed 23 of 35 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Engram had 10 catches for 102 yards.
This is Chicago’s first three-game winning streak since the end of the 2020 season.
Louis Rees-Zammit, the Welsh rugby star who participates Jacksonville’s practice squadmade the trip and discussed with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the field before the match. Goodell led the the league’s efforts for international growth.
Jaguars: S Darnell Savage and CB Jarrian Jones were evaluated for concussions after a collision in the third quarter.
Bears: Long snapper Scott Daly (knee) was injured after Chicago’s second punt and was ruled out. … DB Kyler Gordon (hamstring) was ruled out in the second half. … The Bears played without two starters in their secondary: S Jaquan Brisker (concussion from last week) and CB Tyrique Stevenson (calf injury during Thursday’s practice)
Jaguars: Stay in London and “welcome” the New England Patriots to Wembley Stadium.
Bears: Goodbye week, then on to the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
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