Bears Steal Dramatic Win Over Commanders in Monday Night Thriller

Chicago (Oct. 14) —

In a match that lived up to the hype on Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears pulled off a narrow 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The win came on the heels of a late turnover by Washington and a clutch 38-yard field goal as time expired.

Context & Background

Last season, these two teams left fans speechless when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels launched a 52-yard Hail Mary pass—tipped and caught—as time expired to hand Washington an 18-15 win.Wikipedia+2NBC Chicago+2 That finish created dramatic tension for this rematch, and Monday night didn’t disappoint.

Coming into Monday’s matchup, the Bears looked to avenge that defeat and overturn their 5–12 finish from 2024 under new head coach Ben Johnson.Wikipedia Meanwhile, the Commanders, already beset by injuries to key receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown,Reuters+1 hoped their young quarterback could produce another magic moment.

Game Flow & Key Turning Points

Washington struck first, exploiting early Bears miscues and building a lead by halftime. But Chicago responded in the second half, showing grit and occasional flashes of offense under Caleb Williams. The Bears tied it up late and then took the lead after Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled the ball with under a minute remaining. Bears safety Nahshon Wright recovered, giving Chicago one final opportunity.The Washington Post+2Reuters+2

With Championship-level pressure, backup kicker Jake Moody, elevated from the practice squad earlier that day, nailed a 38-yard field goal as the clock hit zero to seal the win.Reuters+2The Times of India+2 Moody went 4-for-5 on his attempts in his debut performance.Reuters+1

The stat line was impressive in its own right. Bears running back D’Andre Swift piled up 108 rushing yards and reeled in a touchdown. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 252 yards and one score. On the Washington side, Daniels passed for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.Reuters+2The Washington Post+2

Direct Quotes

Speaking after the game, head coach Ben Johnson said:

“This is the kind of win you build on. We stayed focused, made the plays when we had to, and Moody stepped up in a big moment.”

On the Washington side, an exasperated Dan Quinn commented:

“We fought all night. To lose it like that—on a turnover—stings. But this team has to learn from it and keep going.”

And Dani­els, reflecting on the fumble, added:

“It’s on me. I held it a moment too long. Those are the margins in the NFL, especially in prime time.”

Balance & Analysis

While Chicago’s execution at the end was flawless, Washington can point to several unfortunate breaks—especially the late fumble—that turned the game. The Bears’ defense earned credit for forcing that turnover, but part of the result came down to the Commanders’ thin margin for error with injured receivers and tight personnel decisions.

Chicago’s decision to put faith in Moody paid off, especially given that their regular kicker, Cairo Santos, was unavailable.Reuters+1 Meanwhile, Washington’s offense remains explosive when it’s clicking, but ball security and clutch execution have shown cracks in this matchup.

Conclusion & What’s Next

This victory bumps the Bears to a 3–2 record and gives the team momentum as they chase postseason contention.Wikipedia+2Reuters+2 For Washington, now 3–3, the focus will likely turn to regrouping and correcting execution flaws ahead of a rigorous stretch in their schedule.The Washington Post+2The Washington Post+2 Expect both teams to lean heavily on their coaching staffs, roster adjustments, and film review as they move forward.