Blocked Field Goal or Blocked Vision? Why Matt Eberflus’ Decision-Making is Losing Bears Fans’ Trust
After the blocked field goal that shook the Midwest, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus defended his decision not to run a play before Cairo Santos’ attempted game-winning kick.
Eberflus explained that he feared a potential fumble by the Bears, which could have handed the game to the Packers. However, many Bears fans weren’t convinced, expressing their frustration on social media, according to CHGO on X (formerly Twitter).
Amid the criticism, Hall of Fame quarterback and media analyst Kurt Warner came to Eberflus’ defense. Warner argued on X that running another play risked losing yards or turning over the ball. Instead, he suggested the blame lay with execution.
“What if the Bears run another play and lose 2 yards because everyone knows they’re running? Gaining isn’t guaranteed. They lost because the kicker hit low, the Packers pushed through to block, and maybe even went over the snapper, which could’ve been a penalty! Quit piling on the coach,” Warner wrote, urging fans to focus on the team’s failure to execute.
Warner’s perspective holds weight. Running another play didn’t guarantee success, and a fumble would have ended the game outright. However, Santos’ leg strength is a known issue, something the Packers highlighted after the block.
Since 2020, Santos has been perfect on field goals under 40 yards but hits only 76% of kicks beyond 45 yards. The 46-yard attempt against the Packers was at the edge of his range, making even a small gain critical.
Instead, Eberflus chose to run the clock down to three seconds, call a timeout, and hope for the best. Unfortunately for Bears fans, this type of decision-making has become a pattern.
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Since taking over as head coach in 2022, Eberflus has struggled in close games. According to Stathole Sports, he has the worst record among active head coaches in one-score games (5-17, 22.7%), compared to Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell, who leads with a 22-10 record (68.8%).
Even more concerning is data from ESPN Analytics, which shows the Bears have lost six games under Eberflus where they had at least an 80% win probability in the second half. In four of those games, their win probability was over 95%.
While Warner’s defense of Eberflus’ logic makes sense on paper, Bears fans are frustrated. The blocked field goal wasn’t just about one decision—it was another example of a coach unable to close out games. For many, it feels like the final straw.
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