The Chicago Bears had a chance to tie or win their game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, but time expired while they had a timeout to use.
Quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked with 32 seconds left, but the Bears curiously did not stop the clock.
Williams then brought up the ball with seven seconds left and tackled receiver Rome Odunze: the ball hit the turf with the clock at zero, giving the Lions a 23-20 victory.
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Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus watches during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday. (Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The failure to call a timeout was highly unpopular with many on social media, who immediately began calling for Bears head coach Matt Eberflus' job.
But Eberflus had his reasons.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
LIONS MAKE FRANCHISE HISTORY BY GOING TO 11-1 AFTER AVOIDING THE BEARS ON THANKSGIVING
Considering the ball was at Detroit's 41-yard line on the final play, the Bears could have gotten a few yards and then called a timeout to attempt a game-tying field goal.
But Eberflus said Williams waited too long to start the play: Eberlus wanted the ball to go up with about 18 seconds left, but it wasn't sacked for 11 seconds.
It was the Bears' sixth straight loss, with each of the last two coming within a field goal against NFC North opponents.
Meanwhile, the Lions are now 11-1, their best start in franchise history, as quarterback Jared Goff threw two touchdowns, both to tight end Sam LaPorta, who finished with three receptions for six yards. .
Goff was 21 of 34 for 221 yards, with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the pack with 73 yards on five receptions.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday. (Images by Lon Horwedel-Imagn)
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Meanwhile, Williams emerged in the second half, finishing with 256 yards and three touchdown passes. Keenan Allen had 73 yards, while DJ Moore finished with 97.
Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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