The football world is still buzzing over the fiasco that led to the Chicago Bears losing narrowly to the Detroit Lions early on Thanksgiving Day.
With the ball on Detroit’s 41-yard line on a third down and under 30 seconds left, the Bears let the game clock run down pre-snap, and just after quarterback Caleb Williams’ pass attempt intended for Rome Odunze missed, time expired.
The Lions held on to win, 23-20, and this fiasco seemed to sum up what has been a ragged season for Chicago, despite the ample talent it possesses.
Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus tried to explain after the loss why he didn’t call a timeout to stop the clock, per ClutchPoints.
“Like I said, disappointing for the players. They put a lot of work in that short week. Put themselves in a position to win that game.”
Matt Eberflus on why he didn’t use the final timeout at the end of the Bears-Lions game 👀
(via @dave_bfr)pic.twitter.com/MCK66KEJbv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 28, 2024
Stopping the clock with a timeout would’ve meant giving his players a chance to get organized and know what offensive set they were going to run, or kicking a field goal, albeit a long one, that could’ve tied the game.
This was the Bears’ third straight loss by three points or fewer, and overall, they’re now on a six-game losing streak.
There have been plenty of people calling for Eberflus to be fired for months, and this miscue will likely increase the chances of those people getting their wish.
The Bears have a flawed but potential-laden and talented rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams, as well as three very capable wideouts in Odunze, who is also a rookie, D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen.
But all that talent hasn’t coalesced, and they will need to make some changes, especially given how tough the NFC North is these days.
NEXT:
Robert Griffin III Rips Bears After Loss On Thursday
