It was a pretty bad night for the Carolina Panthers all around, and that included the end of game situation that led to a Chicago Bears 16-13 win on Thursday night.
There was the timeout call before a 3rd-and-10 from Chicago’s 41-yard line that came after an incomplete pass. And then there was coach Frank Reich’s idea of going for a 59-yard field goal on a 4th-and-10 with Eddie Pineiro, whose career-long to that point was 56 yards. Pineiro, of course, came up short.
He said the percentages, analytics experts and other coaches had “mixed opinions” on whether to go for it or not, and Reich at least owned that decision, which I guess makes sense given how Bryce Young and the offense has generally struggled:
Frank Reich explains the curious decision to try a 59-yard field goal. pic.twitter.com/gLLJUIxqVy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 10, 2023
Frank Reich says he thought the 59-yard FG attempt had better odds than 4th-and-10.
"Do I second-guess myself over it? Yeah, after we missed it, I did."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) November 10, 2023
Fans roasted him:
Frank Reich right now pic.twitter.com/31wp50bc4m
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 10, 2023
Fire Frank Reich tonight. Pathetic.
— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) November 10, 2023
Frank Reich is not it
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) November 10, 2023
Frank Reich sending out Pineiro for 59 yard field goal attempt for the win….. pic.twitter.com/VbB7f3VzGy
— SleezBallFF (@SleezBallFF) November 10, 2023
Frank Reich honestly took a timeout before 3rd down on offense and then had his kicker attempt a 59 yard FG… pic.twitter.com/9V27DjjQrZ
— Seth Wisner (@SethWisner) November 10, 2023
You're 1-7.
Why not give your rookie QB a chance to make a play on that 4th down?
Instead, Frank Reich opts for a 59-yard field goal attempt.
Way to show confidence in your future franchise QB 👍
Awful coaching.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 10, 2023