Chicago Bears Triumphant Over Washington Commanders in Nail-Biting Monday Night Game

Moody's Redemption: From 49ers Cut to Bears Hero

The Chicago Bears (3-2) secured a dramatic 25-24 road victory over the Washington Commanders (3-3) in a rainy Monday Night Football contest, thanks to the clutch performance of newly signed kicker, Jake Moody.

Moody, who was unceremoniously released by the San Francisco 49ers just weeks earlier after missing two field goals in Week 1, was elevated from the practice squad to replace the injured Cairo Santos. He immediately proved his worth by successfully connecting on all four of his field goal attempts—from 47, 48, 41, and most critically, the 38-yard game-winner as time expired.

Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears. Souce: Chat Sports

The outcome was a complete reversal of fortunes from 50 weeks prior, when Washington defeated Chicago 18-15 on the famous "Hail Maryland" pass. This time, the Bears left the field in mass celebration.

Moody spoke about the team embrace after the kick: "I got here not too long ago. But for everybody to embrace me and take me in as one of their own is an amazing feeling. It’s always good to have a fresh start. I always believed in myself."

D'Andre Swift Explodes After the Bye Week

While QB Caleb Williams finished with a decent stat line in his D.C.-area homecoming (Williams attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.), the Bears’ offense was carried by a breakout game from running back D'Andre Swift.

Swift, who entered Week 5 averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, had a devastating night against a struggling Washington run defense. He posted a season-high 108 rushing yards on 14 carries, an impressive 7.7 yards per tote.

The biggest highlight came in the fourth quarter when Williams tossed a short pass to Swift, and the shifty running back turned it into the second-longest reception of his career—a 55-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown after making Washington safety Quon Martin whiff on a tackle. Overall, Swift racked up 175 scrimmage yards on 16 touches.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn remarked ruefully, "That one stings."

Oct 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) celebrates with tight end John Bates (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Commanders' Costly Turnover Collapse

The Commanders, who had a chance to pull even with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East, ultimately shot themselves in the foot by committing three turnovers, matching their total from the first five games of the season. These turnovers directly resulted in 13 points for the Bears, leading coach Dan Quinn to state, "You really don't deserve to win many games when you're in that space."

1. Red Zone Interception: Soon after the Bears’ opening field goal, Daniels threw his first interception of the season, underthrowing Deebo Samuel and allowing Jaquan Brisker to easily undercut the route. This cost the Commanders a scoring opportunity and led to another Bears field goal.

2. Rookie Fumble: Rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt continued a concerning trend by losing his second fumble in two weeks (forced by Montez Sweat). Chicago pounced on the loose ball, which led to a 1-yard Caleb Williams rushing touchdown, putting the Bears up 13-0.

3. Game-Losing Botched Handoff: The most critical mistake came with just over three minutes left as Washington, leading 24-22, tried to run out the clock. A botched handoff exchange between Daniels and Croskey-Merritt resulted in a fumble. Chicago recovered at their own 44-yard line, setting the stage for Moody’s game-winning drive.

Daniels took full accountability for the late turnover: "I’m not going to sit up here and blame it on the elements... I had a lack of focus there and it cost us the game."

NFL Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore / Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Detailed Expert Analysis

Bears' Deep Ball Defensive Flaw:

Despite the victory, the Bears' defense showed a major weakness: defending the deep pass. Daniels had three completions on throws over 20 yards, including two touchdowns. Notably, Luke McCaffrey was left wide open on a wheel route for a 33-yard touchdown after no Chicago defensive back remembered to cover him, giving Washington its first lead at 17-16.

Daniels' Performance Amid Injuries:

Jayden Daniels delivered an efficient night of passing (19 of 26, 73% completion rate) despite missing two of his top three receivers: Terry McLaurin (quad muscle) and Noah Brown (knee and groin issues). He threw for 3 TDs and added 52 yards on the ground. However, the consistent pressure applied by the Bears when Washington used empty formations was not adequately addressed by the Commanders' coaching staff.

Game Flow and Momentum:

The contest was a rollercoaster, with the Commanders battling back from an early 13−0 deficit to take a 24−16 lead following a 24−3 scoring run. Key plays included a 6-yard TD catch by TE Zach Ertz and the blocked 48-yard field goal attempt by Moody early in the fourth quarter, which kept Washington in the lead. Nevertheless, Williams' final effort—leading a nine-play, 36-yard drive in the rain—culminated in the 25-24 victory for Chicago.

Bears kicker Jake Moody hits the game-winning field goal from 38 yards out as time expires. (Nick Wass/AP)

Statistical Summary

D'Andre Swift: 14 rushes/108 yards (0 Rushing TD), 2 receptions/67 yards (1 Receiving TD). Total 175 scrimmage yards.

Turnovers: Bears 0, Commanders 3.