Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Chicago Bear has found a new and horrendous way to lose a football game this season. This time, however, it took place on Thanksgiving, in full view of the world. The Bears fell to the Detroit Lions 23-20 in a game that looked fun at first.
Chicago (4-8) struggled to get out of goal and didn’t really put up much of a fight in the first half. The Bears managed to convert only two first downs, both of which came on the final drive with Detroit (11-1) leading 16-0 at halftime. But things turned around in the second half.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams revved up the offense and threw three touchdowns, two of which went to Keenan Allen. The defense tightened up and suddenly a 16-0 lead turned into 23-20 late in the fourth quarter led by the Bears. But that’s when disaster struck again.
With seconds on the clock and within field goal range, Williams took a sack that pushed the offense back six yards. As time passed, Williams tried to bring everyone together to put on a play. The Bears had one timeout left to use, but head coach Matt Eberflus opted not to call it for whatever reason. Instead, Williams threw a deep ball with time expired that fell incomplete.
It could have taken some time for the Bears to regroup to put together another play. Instead, they mismanaged the final seconds to drop their sixth straight game. It’s also another highlight in Eberflus’ Bears coaching career, and NFL fans were shocked by what they saw at the end of the game:
There are 32 seconds left and you have one timeout left. WHAT IF YOU TAKE A TIMEOUT AFTER THE SACK WHEN YOU SEE WILLIAMS GETTING A FULL HUDDLE??
– Seth Toupal (@sethtoups) November 28, 2024
Licensed. There is literally no reason to keep a coach around to actively lead his team to defeats.
– Dan Durkin (@djdurkin) November 28, 2024
What was that from the Bears?!?
The end of their management of the game on multiple occasions this year is absolutely baffling.
– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 28, 2024
Fire Matt Eberflus tonight.
Sacked with 35 seconds on the clock and he left his rookie QB scrambling to find a play.
Sure, Caleb Williams needs to be more aware, but you have a timeout on your hands. Fuck it, use it.
Every week is a whole new way to lose a game. #Bear
-Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) November 28, 2024
This is professional coaching misconduct. If you see your rookie QB is not moving fast enough to get to the line after being sacked. You call a timeout. This is absolute madness. #Bear
-Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) November 28, 2024
Bears find the craziest ways to lose. The way they push themselves every week is pretty impressive.
– MikeyBets (@RealMikeyBets) November 28, 2024
I don’t see how anyone in the Halas Hall building can allow this to continue. I just can’t understand what just happened here.
This was WILD coaching malpractice.
–Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) November 28, 2024
My family is speechless watching TV. His wife has a lot of questions about game management, her most pressing question is why they still have downtime at the EOG.
–Kyle (@Ky1eLong) November 28, 2024
This is one of the worst late game sequences I have ever seen and I saw the Cowboys draw QB with 14 seconds left.
-Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 28, 2024
This might be the worst endgame timer management I’ve ever seen.
– Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) November 28, 2024
Bro…HOW does this game end like this? HOW?!
–Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) November 28, 2024
I can’t believe this just happened. Where is the sideline? Inexcusable clock management. As bad as you’ll ever see. #Bear
–Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 28, 2024
Eberflus is my favorite bad trainer – they need to extend him for 2 years, he’s so much fun.
– Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 28, 2024
The Bears have never fired a coach during the season.
But it was the icing on the cake of three straight heartbreakers against division opponents where coach mismanagement played a huge role.
It’s hard to see any justification for maintaining the status quo until the end.
– Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 28, 2024
No waiting period. Don’t point if the ball. You only finish one play in the last 26 seconds. Is there any other evidence needed to @ChicagoBears and their supporters around the world that a new coach is needed? It’s time to change?
– Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 28, 2024
WTF was that Bears? Use your last timeout after the bag. You still have 34 seconds left. Situational Football by Coach HD is Horrible
– Shannon Sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) November 28, 2024
This article was originally published on Bears Wire: The NFL world can’t believe how much Bears HC Matt Eberflus missed another game
