LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — A day later, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus stood by his decision to let the clock run out rather than run another play before a last-second field goal attempt against Green Bay.

The Bears ended a chaotic week in which they fired their offensive coordinator with their fourth straight loss, losing 20-19 to the Packers on Sunday when Green Bay blocked Cairo Santos’ 46-yard kick as time expired.

“Yes, I would do the same thing,” Eberflus said Monday. “Would you like to be closer?” Yeah, sure. You’d like it to be on the 15 yard line. But that’s where it is and you could have done a bunch of different things there.

Chicago was able to stop a skid that began with a loss to Washington on a Hail Mary pass. Instead, the Bears (4-6) fell for the second time in four games on a last-second play.

They led 19-14 before Jordan Love scored from the 1 to give the Packers a one-point lead with 2:59 to play.

Caleb Williams was sacked on the first two plays of the next drive, putting Chicago in a third-and-19 hole at its 21. Just when it looked like the Bears were buried, Williams completed two passes to Rome Odunze that put them in green. Bay Territory.

A 12-yard catch by Keenan Allen gave them a first down in the 30th with 35 seconds left. After a 2-yard run up the middle by Roschon Johnson, Chicago could have run another play to try to shorten the distance on a field goal. Instead, Eberflus opted to let the clock run before calling a timeout with 3 seconds remaining.

Karl Brooks crossed the middle of the line and raised his left hand to block Santos’ kick, preserving the Packers’ 11th straight victory over the Bears. Eberflus said the risks of another play outweighed the potential reward of a shorter attempt.

“They’re doing stunts or whatever and you false start, you step back, you watch the whole thing,” the embattled coach said. “You’re organizing an outdoor game,” they say, holding on. You throw a pass, it gets knocked down, whatever it is. You feel good about your decision there.

The Bears can’t feel good about their season. Being last in the NFC North is not what they had in mind. Chicago began the year with its sights set on a playoff berth after going a combined 10-24 in the first two years under Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles.

“We don’t come into this building to lose,” safety Kevin Byard said. “There are things that happen during the game that make us better and that’s the whole reason we lose games. But ultimately we have to keep working and make sure we don’t drift apart. And I think we’re a tight group as a team. Honestly, I don’t really worry about it.

What works

The defense. The Bears continue to be stingy when it comes to giving up points. They finished seventh in defense through Sunday.

What needs help

Rating. The Bears had a better run in their first game since offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired and Thomas Brown replaced him. The offense racked up 391 yards and dominated time of possession 36:21-23:39 after struggling in recent weeks.

When it comes to getting to the end zone, there’s still work to be done. The offense has scored at least two touchdowns after going two games and 25 possessions without one. But two touchdowns and 19 points is not a winning recipe.

Store

Williams. The No. 1 overall draft pick completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards. He also had the highest total of his career with 70 yards. Above all, he looked more comfortable after struggling in the previous three games.

Stock falling

CB Jaylon Johnson. The Packers might not have scored the go-ahead touchdown if the star cornerback had been left standing a few plays earlier. Johnson tripped when he tangled his feet while trying to defend a throw to Christian Watson, who got up after making a rushing catch and raced to the 14. Love scored from the 1 two plays later late.

Injuries

LG Ryan Bates was in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s game, and S Elijah Hicks was being evaluated after rolling his ankle.

Key number

5-17 — The Bears’ record in one-possession games under Eberflus, who is 14-30 overall.

Next steps

The Bears will look to stop their slide when they host Sam Darnold and their division rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

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