Poor clock management on final drive costly for Bears in 23-20 loss to Lions on Thanksgiving

DETROIT (AP) — The Chicago Bears could have celebrated a huge comeback and an upset win on Thursday.

Instead, poor clock management on their final drive ended their bid and extended their losing streak to six games after a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions.

The Bears drove into position for a tying field goal or winning touchdown, only to have a sack and questionable clock management end the game before they got a chance at either one.

The confusion started after Caleb Williams hit Keenan Allen for a 12-yard completion to the Lions 13 in the final minute.

That would have given the Bears plenty of time to try for the win before attempting the field goal, but guard Tevin Jenkins was called for illegal hands to the face, moving the ball back to the 35.

On second down, the Bears called a draw play for Williams, hoping he could get the first down and set up the field goal. However, backup tackle Larry Borom didn’t move as Za’Darius Smith came in unblocked to sack Williams for a 6-yard loss.

“It got loud, and I don’t think Larry heard the count,” Williams said. “Once I saw Za’Darius coming free, I didn’t want to risk trying to throw the ball away in case he got a chance to get his hands on it. I took the sack and tried to get everybody lined up for the final play.”

As Williams tried to get the play off, Bears coach Matt Eberflus didn’t call Chicago’s last timeout. He said he was conserving it to set up a field-goal attempt.

“The hope was we could re-rack the play, snap it with about 18 seconds left, throw it into field-goal range and call the timeout,” he said.

The clock, though, ran beyond 18 seconds and beyond Eberflus’ other benchmarks.

“Once it gets under 12, we can’t throw a pass to the sideline, and once it gets under seven, you have to throw the ball to the end zone,” he said. “At that point, if you call a timeout, it is to throw it to the end zone.”

When Williams realized no timeout was coming, he hurriedly changed the play call to a deep pass to Rome Odunze, but it fell incomplete just short of the end zone.

“I knew we didn’t have time for a field goal, so I made an adjustment,” he said. “I just wanted to get Rome one-on-one and try to take a shot at six.”

Williams didn’t second-guess his coach.

“We can call a timeout there or we cannot,” he said. “I’m not going to say I was surprised. My job is just to go out there and make plays. I let the coaches and everybody make that decision — it is their call. Maybe in the later years of my career, it will be my call.”

The finish ruined a spectacular second half by Williams, who went 15 for 24 for 222 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 29 yards.

“We didn’t have any sustained possessions in the first half, so we had to get positive drives in the second,” he said. “That was a big point for us at halftime and we got into a rhythm and stayed encouraged.”

Williams could have helped the Bears to a memorable comeback win on Thanksgiving, but the Bears once again fell short.

“I think we handled it the right way,” Eberflus said. “I believe we could re-rack the play and get it done.

“It just didn’t work out.”

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad (69) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) can't catch a pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Matt Eberflus during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The high-profile private attorney for Nick Reiner resigned from his case Wednesday for reasons he said he could not reveal, and he later told reporters that under California law his client is definitely not guilty of murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

“Circumstances beyond our control and more importantly circumstances beyond Nick's control have dictated that, sadly, it's made it impossible to continue our representation,” lawyer Alan Jackson said as he stood with his team outside a Los Angeles courthouse.

But, Jackson added, after weeks of investigation, “what we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that.”

Jackson would not specify what he meant and took no questions at the brief news conference, but it was the first direct statement from a Nick Reiner representative about his guilt or innocence in the 3 1/2 weeks since the killings.

He spoke after a hearing where Reiner was supposed to be arraigned and enter a plea to two charges of first-degree murder. Instead, after meeting with the Judge Theresa McGonigle in chambers, Jackson, at his own request, was replaced by a public defender and the plea hearing was postponed to Feb. 23.

Jackson said that for legal and ethical reasons, he could not reveal why he had to resign. He first appeared in court representing Nick Reiner at a hearing a few days after the beloved actor-director and his wife of 36 years were found dead with stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Jackson did not say how he was hired — or who hired him. Generally, defendants use public defenders when they can't pay for a private attorney.

Jackson has become one of the most prominent defense attorneys in the nation in recent years after his defense of clients including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read at her intensely followed trials in Massachusetts.

Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene took over as Reiner’s attorney during the hearing.

“The Public Defender’s Office recognizes what an unimaginable tragedy this is for the Reiner family and the Los Angeles community,” LA County Public Defender Ricardo D. Garcia said in a rare public statement on a case from the office. “Our hearts go out to the Reiner family as they navigate this difficult time. We ask for your patience and compassion as the case moves through the legal process.”

A Reiner family spokesperson said in a statement after Wednesday’s hearing that “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”

During Wednesday's hearing, Reiner stood behind glass in a custody area of the courtroom wearing brown jail garb and with his hair shaved. Two deputies stood behind him. Jackson and his team stood in front of him on the other side of the glass. At one point, Reiner stood on his tiptoes to peer over the lawyers’ heads to look at the audience. He spoke only to agree to the delayed arraignment.

McGonigle approved the use of cameras inside the courtroom but said photos and video could not be taken of the defendant. Reiner did not wear the suicide prevention smock he had on at his initial court appearance on Dec. 17.

Reiner, 32, the third of Rob Reiner's four children, has been held without bail since his arrest hours after his parents were found dead on Dec. 14.

Jackson, a former LA County prosecutor, had given no indication of the plans for his defense.

He said that just hours after Nick Reiner’s arrest, he and his team were in New York when they got a call about representing him. He did not say who called him.

“We dropped everything,” Jackson said. “For the last three weeks, we have devoted literally every waking hour to protecting Nick and his interests. We’ve investigated this matter top to bottom, back to front.”

He said they remain “deeply, deeply committed” to him and said, “We’re not just convinced; we know that the legal process will reveal the true facts.”

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were killed early on the morning of Dec. 14, and they were found in the late afternoon, authorities said. The LA County Medical Examiner said in initial findings that they died from “multiple sharp force injuries.” A court order has prevented the release of more details. Police have said nothing about possible motives.

Prosecutors have said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty for Nick Reiner.

Rob Reiner was a prolific director whose work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and ’90s. His credits included “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “A Few Good Men,” and “When Harry Met Sally ...,” during whose production he met Michele Singer, a photographer, and married her soon after.

A decade ago, Nick Reiner publicly discussed his struggles with addiction and mental health after making a movie with his father, “Being Charlie,” that was very loosely based on their lives.

This story has been corrected to reflect that Nick Reiner is the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, not the youngest.

Judge Theresa R. McGonigle presides over the arraignment for Nick Reiner on murder charges for the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Alan Jackson, the attorney for Nick Reiner, speaks during Reiner's arraignment on murder charges for the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Alan Jackson, the attorney for Nick Reiner, arrives in court for Reiner's arraignment on murder charges for the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Alan Jackson, the attorney for Nick Reiner, arrives in court for Reiner's arraignment on murder charges for the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Alan Jackson, the attorney for Nick Reiner, arrives in court for Reiner's arraignment on murder charges for the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)