The Chicago Bears lost to the Detroit Lions in a close game on Thursday, continuing their miserable season.
With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked on second down after failing to find a receiver, leaving the team trailing 23–20 and heading into Lions territory.
With about 33 seconds remaining from the Lions’ 41-yard line, Chicago was faced with a third and long. The Bears had a timeout, but they chose not to utilize it—a decision that the game’s commentators questioned as it was happening.
Chicago instead tried to run another play without a huddle, probably to give their kicker a little more leeway in a field goal that would have tied the game. Williams overthrew his intended receiver in the end zone on the next play, but the clock ran out because the offense took too long to snap the ball and return to the line of scrimmage.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, who has previously been placed on the hot seat due to a series of poor game management choices, admitted in his postgame press conference that he had wanted to run one more play before calling a timeout.
However, he made the decision to end the play when the clock reached 12 seconds.
Returning to the line of scrimmage, he stated, “We wanted to rerack that,” meaning to “get a play in bounds, and then call timeout.”
“We just got to do a better job together,” he stated.
The Associated Press reports that 221 coaches have had 20 or more of their career games decided by 7 points or less, which puts Eberflus’ tenure in perspective. Eberflus is ranked 221st with a.227 win % (5–17) in those games.
Social media users responded quickly and harshly to the Bears’ decision.
“Dude, I feel sorry for you Bears supporters. Future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt, a former NFL defensive back, stated, “That was just brutal.” “Literal coaching malpractice.”
The Bears’ 2024 season has included a Hail Mary loss, two blocked game-tying or game-winning field goals at the end of regulation, and a loss to the league’s worst team, according to Kyle Brandt, co-host of “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network. Brandt said the loss followed a pattern.
“You have no idea how much more vicious it can get. Then it does. On X, Brandt stated, “And then it does three more times.” “This Bears season is like watching a SAW movie.”
Eberflus was criticized by former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan on CBS’ postgame show.
“This is unacceptable,” said Ryan. “From the head coach position, your responsibility is to not panic in critical situations.”
With their sixth consecutive defeat on Thursday, the Bears’ record dropped to 4-8.
In contrast, the Lions became the NFL’s top team with an 11-1 record.
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