The Chicago Bears got way too cute on a crucial play late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders and it cost them dearly.
Trailing by five points with 6:21 remaining in the fourth, the Bears had the ball at the Washington one-yard line looking to take their first lead of the day at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. The Bears opted for an unconventional handoff to backup center Doug Kramer to try to punch their way into the end zone.
Kramer and quarterback Caleb Williams were not on the same page on the handoff, which was fumbled and recovered by the Commanders.
Washington players kept running and took the ball downfield for what they hoped would be a touchdown, but the play was ruled dead at their own three-yard line after their recovery.
A closer look at the play showed that Kramer never really had the ball to begin with.
Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was roasted on social media for the call. The Bears had a hot hand in running back D’Andre Swift and had struggled to move the ball all day. Going with a trick play in this spot seemed beyond outrageous.
Incredibly, the Bears nearly overcame their own ineptitude. After forcing a three-and-out, they went down the field and scored a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute to beat Washington 15-12, only to blow the game in amazing fashion.
