Three years after they did this dance with Matt Nagy, the Bears are back in the same spot: Their season is beyond saving and coach Matt Eberflus is headed toward the exit.
Eberflus already was on the brink, then mishandled the clock in the final minute of the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday to derail their comeback. He was a punchline as the clock ran out with a timeout still in his pocket.
Here’s a look at the key points of the latest disaster:
Eberflus’ flub
Incredibly, at the end of the game, the Bears ran just one play in the final 32 seconds. Caleb Williams and the rest of the offense should’ve moved quicker, but Eberflus is in charge and failed to recognize he needed to call a timeout. With no action from his head coach, Williams improvised the best he could.
H.I.T.S. crumbles
Even Eberflus’ supposed strengths aren’t shining anymore. The defense allowed the Lions to score on their first four possessions and to average 5.9 yards per play for the game. Defensive tackle Byron Cowart, defensive end Darrell Taylor and wide receiver Keenan Allen all committed costly, avoidable penalties.
Williams flourishes nonetheless
It’s remarkable that Williams keeps growing in spite of Eberflus, Shane Waldron and other hindrances. For the third game in a row, he played very well against a strong defense. And the most important news Sunday: His knee is fine after a “funky” hit by linebacker Jack Campbell.