### Chicago Bears Coach Matt Eberflus Defends Clock Management in Loss to Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has addressed criticism over his team’s clock management in the closing moments of their narrow 23-20 Thanksgiving Day defeat to the Detroit Lions. With a timeout available and 32 seconds left on the clock, the Bears managed to run only one play.

Eberflus explained the decision-making process behind the critical moments, stating, "Our hope was that we'd re-rack that play at 18 seconds, throw it inbounds, get it into field goal range and then call the timeout." The team was outside of field goal range and needed a few more yards. "That's why we held that last timeout at the end of the game," Eberflus added. "Disappointed for the players. They put a lot of work in on a short week and put themselves in position to win that game."

Despite the defeat and growing speculation about his job security, Eberflus appeared for a scheduled video news conference on Friday. He described activities at Halas Hall as "normal operation," with coaches reviewing game footage and preparing for the upcoming Week 14 match against the 49ers. Eberflus mentioned ongoing conversations with general manager Ryan Poles and team president/CEO Kevin Warren as part of his post-game debrief routine.

With 3:31 left in the fourth quarter and trailing by a field goal, Chicago began a drive from their own 1-yard line. Quarterback Caleb Williams moved the team to the Lions' 25-yard line before the drive stalled. A crucial sack pushed them back to the Lions' 41-yard line with 32 seconds left. The Bears chose not to use their final timeout, resulting in an incomplete pass downfield to Rome Odunze with six seconds remaining.

Eberflus justified the decision by highlighting the importance of preserving the timeout for a potential fourth-down kick. "It's a situation where you get the play in, snap the ball, get it off and call timeout," he explained. Quarterback Caleb Williams also shed light on his in-game adjustments, noting that he saw the clock running down and aimed to make a play that would give wide receiver Rome Odunze a chance to make a crucial catch.

The loss marked Chicago’s sixth consecutive defeat of the season and their third straight divisional loss in the NFC North, all by a combined seven points. Wide receiver DJ Moore echoed the team's frustrations, saying, "We keep coming back in these games and we have time to actually win the game, and we just s--- the bed."

Eberflus, now in his third season as head coach with a 14-32 record, acknowledged the need for better execution and took responsibility for the defeat. "I'm the head football coach, so I'm taking the blame, of course. That's what you do," he said. "We didn't get it done. That starts at the top and it starts right here. Accountability is right here with me."

When questioned about his job security following the loss, Eberflus remained steadfast. "I'm just going to keep grinding and working. That's what I do," he asserted.