The Chicago Bears had a tough assignment in Week 15, heading on the road to the Dawg Pound to face off against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have one of the best defenses in the NFL and they would look to make life difficult for Justin Fields and company.
Despite the obstacle facing them, the Bears looked good for portions of the game. Chicago held a 17-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter, as they were putting forth excellent performances on both sides of the ball.
This wasn’t the same team that started the season 0-4. They have been playing much better football over the last two months and looked to be fighting hard for head coach Matt Eberflus, whose job is seemingly on the line.
NFL News & Rumors: Matt Eberflus, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears Updates
Unfortunately for the Bears, they were unable to seal the deal. The Browns scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to win 20-17. Chicago was so close to completing a Hail Mary pass at the end of the game, but Darnell Mooney was unable to reel in the pass as the rebound man on the play.
Not closing out games has been a troubling trend for the Bears this season. According to NFL on CBS on X, formerly Twitter, Chicago has lost three games this season they held a 10+ point lead in the fourth quarter. That is tied for the most in NFL history.
Things get worse for Eberflus, who made some history that no head coach wants to be a part of. According to Erik Duerrwaechter of Windy City Gridiron, no NFL head coach had ever lost multiple games in the same season despite owning a 10+ point lead and turnover differential of at least 2+ entering a fourth quarter.
NFL News & Rumors: Matt Eberflus, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears Updates
That is, until Eberflus this season. Week 15 against the Browns was the second time in which that has happened to the Bears this season. The first was in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions, a game they lost 31-26.
Had the Bears been able to close out some of these games they dominated for three quarters, they would be right in the thick of the NFC Playoff picture. Instead, they are likely heading toward another top-10 pick, which could put Eberflus squarely on the chopping block this offseason.
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