However, the Bears decision to call a timeout before throwing the red flag is up for debate.
"For the first timeout, things just weren't right and we needed to call a timeout to take care of some things," Smith said after the game. "That is separate.
"Without going into detail, I called it for the same reason you always use a timeout -- things weren't right, and we wanted to make sure we were in the best situation. Again, after that, it was two separate situations."
"We're shifting up our personnel, trying to get a call, and before you know it the play clock is down to twelve," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler explained. "It's happened to us a few times this year, so I had to burn one. It just happens. Anytime there's a big play, something down field, it's up for grabs like that. Guys are pushing and shoving getting off the pile, taking to the refs, and trying to figure out what happened. The clock is running during that time.