The Chicago Bears’ painful 11th straight loss to the Green Bay Packers reached new levels of frustration after the NFL officially ruled on a controversial play in Week 11 game. The Bears were hoping to get vindication after claiming contact illegal on their long snapper during Cairo Santos’ blocked field goal attempt that could have won them the game.
The Controversial Game
Late in the fourth quarter, Bears coach Matt Eberflus expressed concerns over Packers’ alleged illegal contact with long snapper Scott Daly on the blocked shot. Eberflus expressed his frustration after the game, saying: “We’re going to submit the play because they were obviously on our long snapper.”
The Bears submitted the play for review, hoping the league would recognize a missed penalty. However, the Friday eveningthe NFL concluded that there was no no penalty on the game.
What the Decision means
Although the Bears’ complaint sparked heated debate among fans and analysts, the decision ultimately changes nothing. Even if the league had agreed with Chicago, the result would have remained the same. There would be no re-shoot or re-attempt, leaving the Bears with another painful chapter in their season.
A Season to Forget for the Bears
The blocked field goal sums up the Bears 2024 season : heartbreak, controversy and disappointment. The team has now lost 11 straight games to their NFC North rivals, with this loss made all the more painful by its dramatic outcome. The quarterback Caleb Williamswho had orchestrated a late comeback to set up Santos’ 39-yard attempt, saw his effort erased by a critical special teams error.
The Packers Continue to Haunt Chicago
The Packers, led by an efficient performance from the quarterback Jordan Lovetook advantage of the Bears’ misfortune to extend their dominance in the rivalry. The victory boosted Green Bay’s playoff hopes while deepening the despair in Chicago.
What’s next for the Bears?
For the struggling head coach Matt Eberflusthe defeat adds additional pressure to an already precarious position. With Chicago’s season spiraling out of control, questions about the future of the coaching staff loom. Meanwhile, the Bears will look to regroup and salvage what they can from a year that has gone off course.
