The Chicago Bears’ heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 has sparked intense scrutiny and second-guessing of first-year head coach Matt Eberflus. With the Bears trailing by one point and just seconds remaining, Eberflus made the controversial decision to let the clock run down to three seconds before sending out kicker Cairo Santos to attempt a game-winning 46-yard field goal.
Santos’ kick was ultimately blocked by Packers defensive tackle Karl Brooks, sealing an eleventh straight victory for Green Bay in this storied rivalry. The stunning turn of events left Bears players and fans wondering if Eberflus should have instead called one final play to move the ball closer and improve Santos’ odds.
Eberflus Stands By His Call
In his post-game press conference, a resolute Eberflus defended his clock management and ultimate decision to kick. “We felt good in terms of where the kick line was,” he explained. “The wind was not a factor today, and Cairo has made a bunch of those kicks inside of that range. We feel confident in Cairo and confident in our operation there.”
The Bears had moved the ball to the Packers’ 28-yard line with 35 seconds left before running back Roschon Johnson picked up two yards on first down. Rather than run another play, Eberflus let the clock tick down before utilizing his final timeout.
“They were loading the box there,” Eberflus noted. “Could we maybe get a couple more yards? Sure. But you’re also risking a fumble or other negative play. We felt very confident from that range given the wind conditions at Soldier Field.”
Questions Remain for Bears
While Eberflus remains steadfast, many are wondering if his conservatism cost the Bears a signature win. Multiple Packers defenders admitted surprise that Chicago didn’t try to make their kicker’s job easier.
“At least run one more play to get closer,”
Packers linebacker Quay Walker said bluntly.
The painful loss drops the Bears to 3-7 on the season and raises further questions about the franchise’s direction under Eberflus. With young quarterback Caleb Williams showing promise, fans are desperate to see signs that the team’s future is in good hands.
Santos Takes Responsibility
For his part, Santos refused to play the blame game, insisting that 46 yards was well within his range at Soldier Field. “The line on that kick looked good, right down the middle,” he said. “They just made a great play with penetration up front. Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other team.”
Still, it’s hard not to wonder “what if” had the Bears taken one more shot to get Santos five or six yards closer. In a rivalry often decided by the smallest of margins, Eberflus’ caution may well have been the difference.
Tough Road Ahead
The Bears won’t have much time to lick their wounds. They travel to New York to face the 7-3 Jets next week before a clash with the powerhouse Buffalo Bills. If Chicago has any hope of clawing back into the playoff picture, Eberflus will need to push the right buttons.
“We’ve got to figure out how to be better, how to get these close games to break our way,”
cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.
For a Bears team that has now lost two straight games in the final seconds, those answers can’t come soon enough. Fair or not, the heat is only rising on their first-year head coach to prove he has what it takes to lead this storied franchise back to prominence. In the NFL, as in life, hindsight is always 20/20. Matt Eberflus can only hope his decision doesn’t become the defining moment of a tenure that is off to a rocky start.
