(670 The Score) On the first play from scrimmage Sunday night at SoFi Stadium, the Bears called for a deep ball down the right sideline. Quarterback Tyson Bagent connected with diving receiver Darnell Mooney, who didn't appear to be touched as his body landed on the turf.
Shortly thereafter, a whistle blew the play dead. The 41-yard gain got the Bears to the Chargers' 38-yard line, but their drive soon stalled and went backward, resulting in a punt on the opening drive of an eventual 30-13 loss to the Chargers.
In his postgame media session, Bears coach Matt Eberflus explained that he didn't receive a clear indication from the officiating crew as to why the play was blown dead before pointing to Mooney’s part in the play. Eberflus wished Mooney had sold it better.
“I would just tell Mooney that he’s got to get up and be convincing,” Eberflus told reporters Sunday night. “When he gets up, go. That’s what I told Mooney afterward. He just needs to get up, go and go house the thing and let them make the decision. Don’t have any indecision there. He made a heck of a catch for sure and a really good play, but again, I don’t know what the outcome was there in terms of what they said.”
The NBC national broadcast later returned to a replay and expressed curiosity as to why the play was blown dead. Given that Mooney didn't immediately continue his path to the end zone, the Bears couldn't have challenged the play to overturn for a touchdown.
The Bears fell to 2-6 with their loss to the Chargers and haven't won consecutive games under the direction of Eberflus, who's now 5-20 in his Chicago tenure.