The Bears failed a key 4th down after head coach Matt Eberflus wasted a timeout trying for offsides
For most of Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Bears looked like they’d finally build some positive momentum this season. Even against the Denver Broncos’ woeful defense, Justin Fields played like a superstar, completing 28-of-35 passes for 334 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick. And with just under 20 minutes to go in the game, Chicago held a seemingly insurmountable 28-7 lead. (Hmm, was Chase Claypool that much of an anchor???)
Then all hell broke loose. Denver would score a touchdown on three straight possessions to even up this barnburner at 28-28 late in the fourth quarter. But even with the Broncos’ valiant comeback attempt, Chicago still had a chance to salt away its first win of the season. That is until Matt Eberflus self-combusted at the prospect of game management. With a field goal attempt lined up, the Bears faced a key fourth-and-short at the Broncos’ 18-yard line just before the two-minute warning.
Rather than run a play, Chicago tried to draw Denver’s defense offsides but failed. The Bears understandably took a timeout to save field position on a kick … except they kept the offense out there. Their possession petered out with a questionable straight handoff to Khalil Herbert, and they now had one less timeout.
Mere minutes later, thanks to this Marvin Mims Jr. reception, the Broncos drove right down the field for the eventual game-winning field goal.
MARVIN. MIMS. JR.
: CBS or @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/xBQwdYZkoU
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 1, 2023
With the Bears pressing for a game-tying kick in the closing moments, Fields would throw a desperation pass that Denver intercepted. Hmm, seems like they could’ve used that timeout!
The @Broncos seal the comeback win with an INT! #DENvsCHI pic.twitter.com/KRkW4hiuJe
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
Nothing has gone right for the 0-4 Bears this year, so it’s not as if Sunday was surprising. But blowing a 28-7 lead with just under 20 minutes to go at home against the NFL’s second-worst team is undoubtedly rock bottom. And the Bears might have avoided this unfortunate reality if their coach had simply managed the game well in the deciding sequence.