The Chicago Bears lost their sixth straight game on Thursday, losing in heartbreaking fashion to a division rival for the third straight week, as the Bears struggled to get a game in before time expired in a 23-20 loss to the Bears. Detroit Lions, the best team in the NFC.
The Bears had the ball near midfield with an opportunity to tie the game or even take the lead, but after Caleb Williams was sacked, the team’s offense was seemingly in scramble mode trying to put in place a formation as the time passed by 36 seconds.
The Bears managed just one more play, an incomplete pass intended for Rome Odunze, and the Lions walked away with the victory.
The problem ? The Bears had one timeout left and Eberflus didn’t call it.
Several members of the NFL media were quick to denounce Eberflus for the apparent lapse that allowed the Lions to improve to 11-1 this season.
Former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan also criticized Eberflus’ decision during the CBS postgame show.
“This is unacceptable from the head coach. Your responsibility is not to panic in critical situations… This is a massive, massive failure on the part of Matt Eberflus,” Ryan said.
Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Cowher, also a member of the CBS studio team, said Eberflus “just froze” as the game clock ran down.
After the QB Draw call on 2nd and 20, you can call a timeout and get the perfect play called on 3rd Down to get back into FG range.
You can then easily have enough time in the game to run your FG unit down the field for a “quick FG” on 4th down.
– Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) November 28, 2024
As the loss brought the Bears to a 4-8 record, sports television host Colin Cowherd made a sarcastic remark about Eberflus’ performance with the team.
I guess that means I have to knock Matt Eberflus off the Coach of the Year list.
– Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) November 28, 2024
The Bears will look to get back in the win column on Sunday, December 8, when they take on the San Francisco 49ers on the road.
