Clock Mismanagement Costs Bears in Heartbreaking Thanksgiving Loss to Lions
DETROIT — Thanksgiving football is supposed to be a time for celebration, but for the Chicago Bears, it turned into yet another chapter in a season filled with frustration. On Thursday, the Bears had a golden opportunity to pull off a stunning comeback and upset the Detroit Lions. Instead, a combination of poor clock management and a critical penalty in the final moments sealed their fate in a 23-20 loss, extending their losing streak to six games.
The game’s final drive was a rollercoaster of emotions for Bears fans. With rookie quarterback Caleb Williams leading the charge, Chicago moved into position for either a game-tying field goal or a potential game-winning touchdown. But just as hope began to rise, it all unraveled in a chaotic sequence that left fans scratching their heads.
The Penalty That Changed Everything
It all started with a promising 12-yard completion from Williams to veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, which brought the Bears to the Lions’ 13-yard line with under a minute to play. The Bears seemed poised to take control of their destiny. But then, disaster struck. Guard Tevin Jenkins was flagged for illegal hands to the face, a penalty that pushed the Bears back to the 35-yard line and completely shifted the momentum.
“That penalty was a killer,” one fan lamented on social media. “We had the Lions on the ropes, and then boom, we’re back at the 35. Unreal.”
A Sack and a Silent Timeout
On the very next play, the Bears called a draw for Williams, hoping to regain some of the lost yardage and set up a manageable field goal. But the plan backfired spectacularly. Backup tackle Larry Borom failed to move at the snap, allowing Lions pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to come in untouched and sack Williams for a six-yard loss.
“It got loud, and I don’t think Larry heard the count,” Williams explained after the game. “Once I saw Za’Darius coming free, I didn’t want to risk trying to throw the ball away in case he got a chance to get his hands on it. I took the sack and tried to get everybody lined up for the final play.”
With the clock ticking down, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus made the controversial decision not to call Chicago’s final timeout. Instead, he opted to let the clock run, hoping to execute one more play before setting up a field goal attempt.
“The hope was we could re-rack the play, snap it with about 18 seconds left, throw it into field-goal range, and call the timeout,” Eberflus said. But the clock didn’t cooperate, and the Bears found themselves scrambling as precious seconds slipped away.
Final Play Fizzles
As the clock dipped below seven seconds, Williams realized there wasn’t enough time for a field goal attempt. He audibled to a deep pass to rookie wideout Rome Odunze, hoping for a miracle. The pass fell incomplete just short of the end zone, and with it, the Bears’ hopes of a Thanksgiving Day victory were dashed.
“I knew we didn’t have time for a field goal, so I made an adjustment,” Williams said. “I just wanted to get Rome one-on-one and try to take a shot at six.”
Despite the chaotic finish, Williams refused to criticize his coach’s decision-making. “We can call a timeout there or we cannot,” he said. “I’m not going to say I was surprised. My job is just to go out there and make plays. I let the coaches and everybody make that decision—it is their call. Maybe in the later years of my career, it will be my call.”
Williams’ Second-Half Surge
The heartbreaking loss overshadowed what was otherwise a stellar second-half performance by Williams. The rookie quarterback went 15-for-24 for 222 yards and three touchdowns after halftime, adding 29 rushing yards to his stat line. His poise and playmaking ability gave the Bears a chance to win, even as the team struggled to find consistency in the first half.
“We didn’t have any sustained possessions in the first half, so we had to get positive drives in the second,” Williams said. “That was a big point for us at halftime, and we got into a rhythm and stayed encouraged.”
What’s Next for the Bears?
For a team that has now dropped six straight games, the frustration is palpable. But Eberflus remained steadfast in his belief that the Bears handled the final moments correctly, even if the result didn’t go their way.
“I think we handled it the right way,” Eberflus said. “I believe we could re-rack the play and get it done. It just didn’t work out.”
As the Bears head into the final stretch of the season, questions about their execution and decision-making will only grow louder. For now, though, the focus remains on finding a way to snap their losing streak and build some momentum for the future.
- Key Takeaways:
- Caleb Williams shined in the second half, throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns.
- Tevin Jenkins’ penalty and Larry Borom’s missed assignment were critical mistakes.
- Matt Eberflus’ clock management decisions will be heavily scrutinized in the coming days.
For Bears fans, Thanksgiving ended with a bitter taste, but the hope is that brighter days are ahead for this young team.
Originally Written by: Unknown
