DETROIT — The Bears dropped their sixth consecutive game and endured another gut-wrenching defeat, losing 23-20 to the Lions on Thursday at Ford Field.
After rallying from a 23-7 deficit in the fourth quarter, the Bears appeared to have at least the opportunity for a game-tying field goal in hand in the final minute at the Lions’ 25-yard line. From there, though, they committed a hands-to-the-face penalty, Caleb Williams took a sack and the clock ran out on them with a timeout still available.
Incredibly, Bears coach Matt Eberflus stood by the way he managed the clock.
“I think we handled it the right way,” he said.
The Bears have never fired a head coach during the season, but it’s not off the table for Eberflus. There’s a viable window to do it by Friday, too, as the Bears have an extended break before facing the 49ers on Dec. 8.
“This is the NFL; I know where it is,” Eberflus said of his job security. “I’m just going to put my best foot forward and keep grinding.”
When asked if he expects to stay on as coach for the next game, Eberflus said, “I’m just going to keep grinding and working. That’s what I do.”
Williams bounced back from a rough start to complete 20 of 39 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns for a 97.8 passer rating after the Bears went scoreless in the first half.
A wild end to this one. #CHIvsDET pic.twitter.com/zwR7g1Efv9
— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024
The ending was yet another debacle on coach Matt Eberflus’ watch, following recent late-game collapses against the Commanders, Packers and Vikings. Eberflus fell to 14-32 as Bears coach with the loss.
Defensively, the Bears held the Lions to seven points in the second half but remained inconsistent and sloppy.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff was hot early and held on complete 21 of 34 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown for a 110.2 passer rating. Former Bears running back David Montgomery led the Lions with 88 yards on 21 carries, and Jahmyr Gibbs added 87 on nine rushes.
Here are the Bears’ inactives for the game:
OG Ryan Bates (concussion)
OL Kiran Amegadjie
WR Tyler Scott
DE Dominique Robinson
CB Ameer Speed
S Elijah Hicks (ankle)