NFL World Aghast at How Bears, Matt Eberflus Handled End of Last-Second Loss to Lions

Both of the following two sentences are true.

The Chicago Bears had first-and-10 on the Detroit Lions' 25-yard line with 46 seconds to go Thursday, trailing 23–20. The Bears, with a timeout in their back pocket, lost the game in regulation without attempting a field goal or turning the ball over.

How does that happen? After Caleb Williams was sacked with 36 seconds left leaving Chicago with third-and-26, Bears coach Matt Eberflus simply declined to call a timeout. That cost the Bears 30 seconds and forced Williams into a harried final throw with six seconds on the clock. Pass incomplete, game over.

LIONS SEAL THE DEAL ‼️

📺: #CHIvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/v1zsBY3WIo
— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024

The final sequence stunned the NFL world, who reacted in a variety of different ways—none of them Chicago-friendly.

What an unbelievable way to lose a game
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) November 28, 2024

Calls for Eberflus's job abounded.

That is insanely poor clock management by the Chicago Bears, Matt Eberflus needs to be fired, his team not handling that situation they let 27 seconds run, Caleb Williams not spiking the ball either, just HORRENDOUS!
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) November 28, 2024

Williams took considerable flak for his inaction as well.

1) utter failure from Caleb not understanding the urgency to get the play off with time to get the fourth down kick off

2) utter failure from Matt Eberflus to not call a timeout once he realizes Caleb does not know the situation and is burning the clock.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 28, 2024

The events underscored a season of embarrassing losses for the Bears.

That is the new most Bears way to lose a game.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 28, 2024

Chicago found itself memed into oblivion.

Matt Eberflus while the Bears’ offense is wasting time getting a play in pic.twitter.com/UouBwOHgWT
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 28, 2024

CBS analyst J.J. Watt was among many big names to express sympathy for Bears fans.

Man I feel for you Bears fans.
That was just brutal.

Literal coaching malpractice.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 28, 2024

It feels like the clock is ticking on the current Chicago regime.

There is absolutely no excuse for an #NFL coach to allow that to happen. Hell, there is no excuse for a high school coach. With a timeout in his pocket. Inexcusable. In a season filled with coaching blunders, this was a new low. #Bears
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 28, 2024