NFL coach challenges a play and wins, but it could have cost his team the game ·

06 Jan 2025, 00:00

Chicago Bears coach John Fox had perhaps the worst challenge in NFL history on Sunday.

The Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers 23-16 to fall to 3-6 on the year, and this challenge by Fox might've cost his team the game. Running back Benny Cunningham caught a pass from Mitch Trubisky and took it 23 yards to the Packers' two-yard line. Fox thought Cunningham broke the plane and scored a touchdown, so he challenged the play.

Which, um, didn't exactly work out for him. First, here's the play in question:

Bear down Chicago Bears song added to the Benny Cunningham play/challenge that didn't end well the Bears. Ref's explanation with John Fox, and Mike McCarthy reactions pic.twitter.com/BkwdLU7Ioa

— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) November 12, 2017

It's hard to blame Fox for challenging that on first glance. But upon the challenge, the referees announced that Cunningham actually lost possession of the ball, and instead of a touchdown, they ruled it a fumble and touchdown. Which, of course, gave the Packers the ball.

The fact that the Bears went on to lose by a touchdown only makes matters worse for Fox and the Bears. A loss to a hated rival is never good, but losing in that fashion is brutal.

Again, it's easy to see where Fox is coming from. He thought Cunningham scored, and obviously he wanted the touchdown rather than first-and-goal from the two-yard line. Fox will probably lose some sleep after that decision.

(h/t Sports Illustrated)

NFL coach challenges a play and wins, but it could have cost his team the game

Chicago Bears coach John Fox had perhaps the worst challenge in NFL history on Sunday. The Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers 23-16 to fall to 3-6 on the year, and this challenge by Fox might've cost his team the game. Running back Benny Cunningham caught a pass from Mitch Trubisky and took it

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