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Video: Bears HC Eberflus’ reason to challenge Addison’s ‘explosive’ catch goes viral | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Video: Bears HC Eberflus’ reason to challenge Addison’s ‘explosive’ catch goes viral | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 24: Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus watches the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus made an interesting choice to challenge the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss.

He backtracked on Monday, saying he believed it was worth challenging a win as big as Sunday’s.

“I threw the challenge flag because it was explosive, 69 yards,” he said. “…When there’s an explosion there, we want to make sure we want to throw that flag out. I understand the sideline, all that stuff, the cameras, but they did a good job with the replay assistance team, coming in and working with I think it always takes effort when you have a big win like that. If it was six yards I don’t care, if it was 15 yards I don’t care. But if it’s 70 yards, it’s worth it, even if we don’t have the best view there.”

Tent Bears @BearsTent

“When it’s an explosive (game) … we want to throw that (challenge) flag.”
Matt Eberflus challenges Jordan Addison for 69 yards. pic.twitter.com/73ULLQdHKm

Eberflus’ decision to throw out the challenge flag is a bit puzzling. If the call had been overturned, it might have taken a few yards after the catch, but the Vikings would still have had the ball and a chance to move down the field. Those decisions also burned out a timeout early in the second half.

A missed timeout came back to hurt the Bears in the third quarter when Eberflus and the offense weren’t on the same page on a crucial fourth down. Chicago had their special teams unit on the field with the offense when it looked to make it on fourth down, and instead of using a second timeout, quarterback Caleb Williams had to rush the ball and end up turning it over on down. and gave the ball back to Minnesota.

Despite Eberflus’ controversial pick, Chicago managed to force overtime against the Vikings but lost 30–27. The loss left the Bears at 4-7 on the year while Minnesota improved to 9-2.