The Chicago Bears suffered their fourth consecutive loss on Sunday, falling to the Green Bay Packers in heartbreaking fashion due to a blocked field goal attempt as time expired. The 20-17 loss at Soldier Field extended the Bears’ losing streak, and once again, head coach Matt Eberflus found himself under fire for the team’s questionable decision-making in the critical moments leading up to the final play.
With the game tied and just 35 seconds left on the clock, the Bears had the ball in a position to improve their chances of making the game-winning kick. They had a timeout in their pocket, while the Packers had none left, which gave Chicago the opportunity to try and get closer to the goalposts. Instead, the Bears decided to keep things conservative, ultimately setting up kicker Cairo Santos for a 46-yard attempt—a move that left fans, analysts, and even Packers players scratching their heads.
Chicago’s offense opted not to run any plays to advance the ball, making it clear they were content with the distance. The decision seemed puzzling, especially considering that even a few extra yards could have made a big difference for Santos, especially under the pressure of a game-winning attempt. By playing it safe, the Bears left Santos with a more challenging kick, one that ended up being blocked by the Packers’ special teams.
This sequence has become a glaring example of Matt Eberflus’s questionable late-game decision-making, with many pointing to it as a major reason for the Bears’ inability to close out games effectively. Eberflus, who has faced mounting criticism during the Bears’ losing skid, was quick to defend his decision after the game.
“They were loading the box there,” Eberflus explained, per Pro Football Talk. “You could say you could do that for sure, maybe get a couple more yards, but you’re also going to risk fumbling and different things there. We felt where we were, if we’re at the 36 or 35, you definitely want to do that because you want to get it inside there. I felt very confident where we were at that time with the wind and where we were on the field.”
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Eberflus’s explanation highlights the delicate balance between risk and reward in such situations. Attempting to gain more yards could have increased the chances of a turnover or a mistake, which might have cost the Bears their opportunity to win. Yet, by not trying to improve the field position, Eberflus essentially left it up to a 46-yard attempt—a considerable distance, especially with the game on the line.
Critics argue that the closer the kick, the easier it would have been for Santos, and therefore, the less likely the Packers would have managed to block it.
With a timeout available and no pressure from the Packers in terms of clock management, it seemed like an obvious decision to try to move the ball closer. Instead, the Bears chose caution over aggression, a move that ultimately backfired.
The fallout from the loss has only intensified the scrutiny on Eberflus, who is being paid to make these critical decisions and, more importantly, to face the consequences when they don’t pan out.
Many fans and analysts have questioned whether Eberflus’s approach to late-game situations is holding the Bears back, particularly when the team has the tools and talent to be more competitive.
This latest defeat marks another missed opportunity for the Bears, and the spotlight on Eberflus is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
The decision to settle for a 46-yard attempt rather than push for a closer kick is emblematic of the team’s current struggles—a tendency to play it safe rather than seizing the moment when the game is on the line.
As the Bears try to turn their season around, Eberflus will need to find a way to instill more confidence and assertiveness in these high-pressure situations, or the calls for change will only grow louder.
