"Absolutely BAFFLING": JJ Watt questions Matt Eberflus' decision after late game blunder vs Lions
The Chicago Bears could have ended their five-game losing streak. And what's more, their victory would have come against the Detroit Lions, who are Super Bowl contenders. However, one questionable decision by Bears coach Matt Eberflus may have cost them the game.
The blunder happened with just a few seconds left on the clock for the game to end. Quarterback Caleb Williams had been sacked. In the next play, Eberflus had one timeout that he could have used to decide on a play that could see the Bears move the ball into field-goal range to potentially tie the game. However, he chose to keep the timeout in his pocket. Williams took plenty of time to get the offense set, then threw a deep ball that was incomplete as time ran out.
Bears fans started flooding social media with calls for firing Eberflus. However, JJ Watt also took to X (formerly Twitter) to state how shocked he was at the decision to not call a timeout.
"What in the absolute world was that by the Bears?!? The end of game management by them multiple times this year is absolutely BAFFLING."
Many fans added they would be surprised if after this blunder, Eberflus continues to hold the position of head coach.
Did refs play a role Eberflus and the Bears losing the game?
Bad coaching aside, many fans held the refs responsible for the Bears loss. They felt the officials were lenient when it came to the Detroit Lions, but were strict when it came to the Bears.
For example, Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs had the ball and was tackled by a Bears defender and brought down while another defender jumped in to assist him. The refs ruled it a horse collar violation and penalized the Bears.
On the other hand, Williams was tackled low by a Lions defender and his body contorted weirdly, almost out of bounds. However, no low hit penalty was slapped on the Lions.
The Bears saw their losing streak go to six games. The Lions extended their winning run to ten game and remain the top team in the NFC. Will Eberflus' decision be the final nail in his coffin as Bears coach?