Other NFL teams are using the Bears' late game decision-making on Thanksgiving as an example of what not to do in that situation
The Chicago Bears are setting the example for other teams in the league, but not in the way you'd like to see.On Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions, the Bears once again made a fool of themselves on a national stage with their late game decision-making.On the final drive of Thursday's game, the Bears allowed time […]
The Chicago Bears are setting the example for other teams in the league, but not in the way you'd like to see.
On Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions, the Bears once again made a fool of themselves on a national stage with their late game decision-making.
On the final drive of Thursday's game, the Bears allowed time to run out in the fourth quarter of a one-score game in field goal range while having a timeout left in the back pocket.
Now, the Bears' antics on Thursday are leading to other teams and coaches questioning what their plan would be while in a similar situation. On Friday, New England Patriots' head coach Jerod Mayo weighed in on what the Bears did on Thursday and what he learned from watching that situation play out.
"As that game went on, I actually called [director of game management Evan Rothstein] and we were just talking through that situation, and it was great. Great conversation," Mayo told the media. "Often times it's easy to second-guess and look back on those decisions that are made and say 'oh that's crazy' but for me, it's just another opportunity to be a better head football coach… I probably would have handled [that situation] a little differently."
That certainly seems like Mayo had a subtle shot at Bears' head coach Matt Eberflus and rightfully so. Even after making that decision that cost the team another game, Eberflus continued to double down on the decision after the game and again on Friday morning while speaking with reporters.
“I think we handled it the right way," Eberflus said immediately after the game. "It didn’t work out the way we wanted to.”
"All of these decisions are my decision. I take full accountability for them and we didn't get it done," Eberflus later added on Friday.
It's pretty alarming to see other head coaches say they would have handled that situation differently while Eberflus continues to stand by his decision-making.
It was even more bizarre to see the Bears continue to operate business as usual on Friday morning without making the right decision that clearly needs to be made.
