Case was notorious in Detroit for perhaps indirectly causing a chain reaction of events that led to the Matt Millen era as Detroit's general manager. During the last game of the season against the Chicago Bears, Case again was filling in for an injured Charlie Batch. With Detroit losing 13-10 at the start of the 4th quarter, Case scampered 13 yards for a touchdown and the Lions went up 17-13. However, Case then threw an interception that was returned 61 yards for a touchdown by R.W. McQuarters, and the Bears went up 20-17, before a Jason Hanson field goal tied the game at 20-20.
With possession of the ball and moving into field goal range late in the game, Case fumbled the ball which was subsequently recovered by R.W. McQuarters. The Bears drove the ball down to the Detroit 37 yard line to set up rookie kicker Paul Edinger for a 54 yard field goal, giving the Bears the win. The Lions suffered the loss and their season was over with a 9-7 record. The Detroit media and fans roundly placed blame on Case, whether it was just or not. Had the Lions won the game, the team would have earned a playoff berth for the second season in a row. As a result, owner William Clay Ford immediately reshuffled the front office, resulting in the hiring of general manager and president Matt Millen, the firing of head coach Gary Moeller, and the departure of Herman Moore, Jeff Hartings, and Case.
