4 Takeaways from the Bears' heartbreaking loss to the Packers in Week 11

The Chicago Bears almost did it. They almost snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Green Bay Packers. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams put the offense on his back on the final drive of the game and led the Bears to a game-winning field goal attempt, but as we've become way too accustomed to this season, disaster struck for Chicago.

Sunday's loss marks the second time this season that Williams has been robbed of a signature win. In Week 8's loss to the Washington Commanders, the now-infamous Hail Mary game, Williams drove the Bears on a go-ahead drive with just seconds remaining to play. Coach Matt Eberflus' late-game blunder (which we'll get into below) cost Chicago the game and instead thrust them into a three-game losing streak, which extended to four games in Week 11.

The Bears fell to the Packers, 20-19, and boy does it hurt. But it's not all miserable in Chicago.

Caleb Williams silenced his haters in Week 11

Kudos to Williams and the Bears offense for silencing the critics, who were out in full force in the days leading up to Sunday's Packers game. Williams played like a seasoned pro, completing 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards and adding 70 rushing yards with his legs. 

Sunday's game marked the fourth straight game Williams hasn't thrown an interception, something that I don't think is getting enough positive attention. Rookies tend to turn the ball over; he isn't. Against a quality Packers defense, he was decisive and quick in his progressions. He made timely throws, took shots downfield, and outplayed Jordan Love, who tends to get a lot of 'love' from the national media.

If you had any concerns about Williams before Week 11, you can put them to rest. In his first game against the Packers, Williams led the Bears on what should've been a fourth-quarter game-winning drive. I get that Bears fans don't want moral victories, but Sunday's was a big one, even if Chicago took an 'L' in the standings.

Thomas Brown proved he should've been calling plays all along

The Chicago Bears made what felt like the obvious decision to fire Shane Waldron in the days leading up to Week 11. Thomas Brown, the team's passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator, and he proved right away that he's a much better playcaller than his predecessor.

The Bears' offense felt like it finally had a rhythm and intention to it. The runs set up the passes; the passes set up the runs. Chicago was in manageable down and distances, and Brown dialed up smart calls to convert first downs in critical situations.

Most importantly, the Bears finally got their playmakers involved in meaningful ways. DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet all contributed. The running game gained chunk plays inside and out. It felt like we were watching a legitimate offense that can score 20+ points every week—finally.

Brown can't be blamed for the end-of-game decision not to run another play and put Cairo Santos in a more favorable distance. Instead, he should be applauded for bringing the Bears' offense back to life. 

Why can't Matt Eberflus close games?

How many times do we have to have a conversation about Matt Eberflus' end-of-game blunders? The third-year coach plagued the Bears in 2023 with late-game meltdowns, and he was the main culprit in Chicago's Week 8 loss to the Commanders on the game's final play. On Sunday, Eberflus chose to let the clock run down and call a timeout instead of running one more play and (potentially) gain a few more yards to give Santos an easier attempt.

We know how the game ended -- Santos kicked the ball with a lower trajectory (which kickers do on longer field goals), and the Packers blocked it.

Do we know for sure that the Bears would've won the game if Eberflus tried to gain a few more yards? Obviously not. But the fact we're here AGAIN is further proof that Eberflus isn't cut out to be an NFL head coach. He's a really good defensive coordinator. But he's incapable of managing a team to victory in critical late-game situations.

Expect more changes in Chicago before the season ends

The more the Bears stack losses like Sunday's against the Packers, the greater the odds they'll make a change at head coach before the 2024 season ends. We all know the Bears ownership group doesn't fire coaches during the season, but as I've stated several times before, this isn't a 'normal' Bears season. Instead, it's the first in a new era -- the Caleb Williams era -- and with it should come change.

The 2024 Bears season is on life support. Sure, there's a world in the football multiverse in which Williams leads the Bears on a remarkable run to finish the year, but if he does, it'll be in spite of Eberflus, not because of him.

I was a fan of Eberflus when the Bears hired him, but the time has come to say goodbye. Chicago should move on (now!) and promote Thomas Brown as the interim head coach. See how the team responds. For all we know, Chicago already has its ideal head coach in the building.