Matt Eberflus Makes Bears' Week 8 Disaster Even Worse With Monday Comments
By Jovan Alford
The Chicago Bears thought they had their win in the bag against the Washington Commanders on Sunday after rookie running back Roschon Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown at the time.
However, the Commanders had other ideas, as veteran wide receiver Noah Brown scored the game-winning touchdown off a Hail Mary tip to win the game.
It was one of the worst ways to lose a game if you are the Bears, considering that cornerback Tyrique Stevenson didn’t do his job. Stevenson was captured taunting fans as the final play was underway and not following Brown.
But to make matters worse, the Bears could have prevented this improbable play from happening if they didn’t allow Commanders star receiver Terry McLaurin to get 13 yards on the second to last play.
Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus was asked about that specific play and emphasized that they were still protecting against a touchdown.
“Because you’re defending touchdown, right? You’re defending touchdown there,” Eberflus said (h/t ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “And them throwing the ball for 13 yards or 10 yards, whatever that is, doesn’t really matter. It’s always going to come down to that last play.”
Matt Eberflus on how he looks back at allowing Terry McLaurin, who was unguarded, to get 13 yards on the 2nd to last play and out of bounds with 2 seconds remaining.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 28, 2024
"Because you're defending touchdown, right? You're defending touchdown there. And them throwing the ball for 13…
While Eberflus makes the case that the game was going to come down to that last play, you can also say that the game might’ve been over, if they didn’t allow McLaurin to get out of bounds and made an attempt to tackle him in bounds.
The play before the Hail Mary, #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury called a quick 13-yard pass to Terry McLaurin with the Bears playing deep. Without this call, Jayden Daniels would never have had a shot at throwing the Hail Mary.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 28, 2024
Don't let this go unnoticed. pic.twitter.com/NjzNFtcx1C https://t.co/tqCOCHhv5u
Instead, the Bears played prevent defense with six seconds left, allowing Jayden Daniels to hit McLaurin on a quick out route for 13 yards to set up the Hail Mary attempt.
Sunday’s heartbreaking loss will be a cruel learning lesson for Eberflus. Hopefully, it doesn’t come back to haunt the Bears later this season.
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