Bears Edge Commanders in Thrilling Monday Night Showdown
In a dramatic Monday night matchup that captivated fans despite persistent rainfall, the Chicago Bears secured a narrow 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders in one of the NFL’s classic franchise rivalries. The game-deciding moment came in the closing seconds when newly-signed kicker Jake Moody—who had been cut by the San Francisco 49ers earlier this season—nailed a 38-yard field goal through the steady mist with just three seconds remaining on the clock. The clutch kick capped a wild back-and-forth contest that saw multiple lead changes, particularly in an action-packed second half. With this win, Chicago improved to a promising 3-2 record while Washington dropped to 3-3, highlighting the competitive balance in the early NFL season standings.
The Bears established dominance early, jumping to a 13-0 lead in the first half behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ rushing touchdown and two successful field goals from Moody. However, the Commanders gradually found their rhythm, with quarterback Jayden Daniels connecting with Chris Moore for a 22-yard touchdown pass to get Washington on the scoreboard. The Commanders continued their comeback with a Matt Gay field goal following an eight-play drive, setting the stage for a competitive second half that would test both teams’ resilience. This early pattern reflected the Bears’ initial offensive efficiency balanced against the Commanders’ determination to fight their way back into contention despite the challenging weather conditions.
The game truly transformed into a thriller in the second half when Daniels led back-to-back scoring drives for Washington, finding Luke McCaffrey for a spectacular 33-yard touchdown pass and later connecting with tight end Zach Ertz for a 6-yard score. These consecutive touchdowns shifted momentum dramatically in Washington’s favor, silencing Chicago’s offense temporarily and putting pressure on rookie quarterback Williams to respond. The Bears’ offense had gone quiet during this stretch, allowing Washington to build what seemed like a potentially decisive lead as the fourth quarter progressed. The momentum swing demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL, particularly in weather-compromised contests where ball security and execution become increasingly challenging.
Chicago’s resilience emerged when it mattered most, with Williams hitting running back D’Andre Swift on a short pass that transformed into a game-changing 55-yard touchdown after Swift showcased his elusiveness by making multiple defenders miss. Though the Bears failed on their subsequent two-point conversion attempt, leaving them down by two points, the explosive play reinvigorated their sideline and set up the dramatic finish. The game’s decisive sequence came when Commanders quarterback Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter, allowing Chicago’s defense to recover in Washington territory. This crucial turnover—one of three takeaways by the Bears’ defense on the night—provided Williams and the offense the opportunity they needed to move into field goal range for Moody’s heroics.
The night became particularly memorable for Moody, who just days earlier had been signed to replace injured veteran Cairo Santos. In a remarkable turnaround story, Moody—who had previously kicked in last season’s Super Bowl with San Francisco before being released early this season—connected on four field goals in his Bears debut, setting a franchise record. “It’s always good to have a fresh start. I always believed in myself, believed in my teammates,” Moody told ESPN’s Lisa Salters after the game, crediting his long snapper and holder for making “the operation really easy.” His perfect night under difficult conditions transformed him from a castoff to a hero in Chicago, demonstrating the often unpredictable nature of NFL careers and the thin margins that separate success from failure in professional football.
The statistical breakdown revealed balanced but distinctive offensive approaches from both teams. Williams finished with 252 passing yards, completing 17 of 29 attempts with one touchdown pass, while distributing completions to eight different receivers—showcasing his ability to read defenses and find open targets across the field. Swift proved to be Chicago’s most valuable offensive weapon, accumulating 108 rushing yards on 14 carries while adding two critical receptions for 67 yards, including the electrifying touchdown. On Washington’s side, Daniels delivered an efficient performance despite the loss, completing 19 of 26 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. The contrast between Williams’ broader distribution approach and Daniels’ precise efficiency highlighted two different yet effective quarterback styles from promising young signal-callers who appear poised to become fixtures in NFL conversations for years to come. Ultimately, Chicago’s defensive opportunism—securing three takeaways—proved to be the difference in a contest where both teams showed considerable promise despite challenging conditions.
