Comments From Packers Players Just Made Matt Eberflus Look Even Worse

Stop if you've heard this before. Questionable decisions by head coach Matt Eberflus led to the Chicago Bears squandering another end-of-game moment that would've gotten a win. A few weeks ago, it was his defensive calls against Washington that led to the Hail Mary. This time, it was his decision to settle for trying a 46-yard field goal despite having 35 seconds left, a timeout, and it being 2nd down. Cairo Santos' kick was blocked, allowing the Green Bay Packers to escape 20-19.

That alone was bad enough. It got ten times worse when even Packers players revealed they were surprised the Bears didn't run at least one more play to get the kick closer. All it did was give them a crucial extra millisecond for their unit to go for the block, which would've been much harder on a shorter kick.

Eberflus was asked about it after the game. His explanation was as lame as you'd expect. Basically, Green Bay was loading the box against the run, and he didn't want to risk a turnover. Never mind that it was 2nd down, and he could've let his young quarterback, who'd complete 74% of his passes, try a short throw to pick up a few more yards. Green Bay had allowed three straight completions prior to that play.

Matt Eberflus stayed true to who he is.

He's a defensive coach. His entire focus is on limiting mistakes, which is why guys like him are often risk-averse. They prefer playing it safe. Another way to put it is that he plays not to lose. Anybody who knows the NFL will tell you that playing not to lose is how you always lose. Being so conservative in crucial moments tells players that he lacks a killer instinct. He won't take risks unless given no other choice. It is why he allowed that easy 13-yard completion against Washington before the Hail Mary and why he opted for a tougher field goal try despite every metric saying he should run at least one more play.

This is why he keeps coming up short in tight games. His lack of situational awareness doesn't help. Matt Eberflus didn't even have the courtesy of putting the ball on the right hashmark, which Santos typically prefers. His lack of knowledge of the little things has characterized his entire coaching tenure. If and when Eberflus is fired in just under two months from now, that passive nature will be one of the primary reasons.