Chicago’s Final Drive Ends in Heartbreak as Clock Runs Out
The Chicago Bears fought hard against the Detroit Lions in a thrilling Week 12 matchup, ultimately falling short 23-20 despite a valiant comeback attempt in the game’s dying moments. As the clock wound down and the Bears were poised for one final play, coach Matt Eberflus revealed his disappointment with how the situation was handled, particularly with the team’s controversial late-game clock management.
A Final Push That Fell Short
The game’s dramatic conclusion came with just 32 seconds remaining on the clock, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, having taken a sack near midfield, found himself struggling to get up and get the offense back on track. Despite noticing the dwindling clock, Williams chose not to call a timeout, allowing the Bears to scramble for a single play before time expired. The final pass, aimed to give the Bears a chance to tie the game or possibly win, fell incomplete, sealing the defeat and leaving Chicago with another heartbreaking loss.
Announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo questioned the Bears’ decision-making, particularly the choice to avoid calling a timeout when time was running out. Eberflus, however, defended his approach after the game.
Eberflus’ Plan for the Final Sequence
Eberflus explained his reasoning behind the decision, saying that the strategy was to execute a quick pass to get into field goal range, followed by a timeout to allow for a game-tying kick. However, the failure to get the ball snapped with enough time left on the clock led to the game’s frustrating conclusion.
“We were hoping to re-rack the play, snap it at 18 seconds, throw it in-bounds, and then call a timeout. The goal was to give ourselves enough time for the field goal,” Eberflus said. “I still like how we handled it, but we just have to do a better job together in those moments.”
Disappointment Amidst Effort
Despite the bitter loss, Eberflus emphasized his pride in the way his players battled throughout the game. “I’m disappointed for our players,” Eberflus said. “They put in a lot of work to try and knock off the defending division champs. We fell short, but we showed a lot of heart out there.”
While the Bears’ valiant effort in Detroit was admirable, the breakdown in late-game execution once again highlighted a recurring issue for Chicago in 2024: finishing games strong. For Eberflus and his players, the missed opportunity against the Lions stings, but it’s also a teachable moment they hope will make them better moving forward.
As the Bears’ playoff hopes dim, the team will have to regroup quickly, learning from the painful loss as they prepare for their next challenge.
