Matt LaFleur kicks Bears and Matt Eberflus into the sun for complaining about relegation

The 2024 version of the Chicago Bears will be best remembered for their impressive ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Bears started their bye week 4–2, but came out of hibernation and lost four straight games. Chicago collapsed in all three phases of the game during this period, with each unit taking turns guaranteeing defeat.

In the final moments of Week 11, Chicago teetered on the brink of ending its 10-game losing streak against the Green Bay Packers. Instead, Green Bay cornerback Carl Brooks blocked Chicago’s 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

After the 20–19 loss, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that the team would report the losing game to the league office due to a missed penalty. Eberflus said the Packers “were on our long snapper,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

During Monday’s press conference, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed Eberflus’ comments about the game.

“I’ve seen a lot of games where I thought there should have been a penalty and it didn’t happen, so I’ll leave it at that,” LaFleur said. “I thought there were a few plays in this game. , this happens. That’s why I never want to leave it in the hands of officials. You should stay away from such situations.”

Eberflus certainly had opportunities to win the game. On their last trip to Chicago, the team still had one timeout remaining with 35 seconds left on the clock. Instead of trying to gain more yards, Eberflus decided to run out the clock and attempt a 46-yard field goal. Bears kicker Cairo Santos had to hit the ball on a lower trajectory to get it through the uprights from that distance, opening up Green Bay’s punt opportunity.

The Packers also noticed that Santos tends to kick low compared to other kickers. Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia identified a vulnerability in Chicago’s offensive operation during game preparation, and Green Bay was able to take advantage by pushing the ball up the middle.

Unlike the NCAA, the NFL does not have a specific period of time after the snap before a defense can take a long snap. However, there are rules that protect the player who grabs the ball while attempting a field goal.

The long snapper must remain uncovered when attempting a field goal in accordance with Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3, Article 2 of the NFL Rule Book.

The rule states that during a field goal attempt, “(a defensive player) who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage must position his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads” and “may not push teammates into the offensive formation.”

Additionally, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9-a states that the long snapper is considered a defenseless player at the time of the snap. However, this defense no longer applies “after he has had the opportunity to defend himself or move downfield.”

That leaves the rule open to some subjectivity, and the officiating panel seemed to feel the Bears’ long snapper had plenty of time to defend himself. While Packers quarterback Lucas Van Ness admits to pushing his teammates to create an offense, it apparently went unnoticed.

Whether there was a penalty in the game or not, late-game blunders became commonplace for the Bears. Chicago’s four-game losing streak began when they allowed a game-winning Hail Mary against the Washington Commanders in Week 8.

Ultimately the responsibility falls on the coaching staff. If their decisive moves had been well prepared and executed correctly, the Bears would have been in contention for a playoff spot. Instead, they are 4-6, and Eberflus is coaching for his job, not for the playoffs.

The Bears will get another chance to snap their 11-game losing streak against the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 18.