### Matt Eberflus Made Three Critical Mistakes in Bears’ Loss to Commanders
It’s puzzling how Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus still holds his position following the team’s disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8. If Chairman George McCaskey had any conviction, he would have suggested to owner Virginia Halas McCaskey that Eberflus be dismissed after such a disastrous game.
While upsets can happen, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels should never have been in a position to win with a Hail Mary. Eberflus mishandled critical moments during the game, and his post-game remarks showed a lack of understanding of the situation.
Despite the Bears being 4-3 and performing better than expected with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, they could easily be 5-3 if not for Eberflus’ mistakes. Here are three significant blunders he made during the game.
#### 1. Allowing a Lineman to Take a Handoff at the Goal Line
Amid the chaos of the game, one of Eberflus’ most questionable decisions was allowing a handoff to an offensive lineman on third and goal with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, while the Bears were trailing 12-7. By permitting offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to call this play, which proved to be a disaster, Eberflus undermined a crucial drive that began at the 15-yard line.
D’Andre Swift was having a strong game with 118 rushing yards and a touchdown, yet Eberflus approved a handoff to backup lineman Doug Kramer, leading to a predictable fumble.
Wide receiver D.J. Moore expressed confusion about the call on “The Mully & Haugh Show,” noting, “I didn’t think we were actually getting it called in a game like this. When I came out of the tent and just saw him running, I was just like, ‘What the hell happened?’”
#### 2. Giving the Commanders 13 Free Yards
Eberflus was fortunate that the Bears defense stepped up. After Chicago took a 15-12 lead with 19 seconds left, the Commanders began their drive on their own 24-yard line. After two plays, they faced a third down and needed a miracle to reach the end zone.
However, Eberflus’ defense shifted into a prevent formation, which allowed Daniels to connect with Terry McLaurin for a quick 13-yard gain, putting the Commanders in a better position for a Hail Mary attempt. Eberflus later defended this choice, downplaying the significance of those extra yards, but they ultimately proved costly for the Bears.
In the end, Eberflus’ decisions not only raised questions about his leadership but also significantly impacted the outcome of the game.
Leave a Reply