Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 6): Bears 25, Commanders 24 – Game-Winning Field Goal Exercises Bears’ Demons In DC

The Bears and Commanders had their game go down to the final play for the second consecutive season.  Unlike 2024, Chicago got the final laugh on Monday as their replacement kicker booted a field goal through the Maryland mist as time expired to earn a third win in a row.

The Bears took the opening drive into Washington territory and had kicker Jake Moody, filling in for the injured Cairo Santos, hit a 47-yard field goal to give them a 3-0 lead. Safety Jaquan Brisker made a great play to intercept opposing quarterback Jayden Daniels near the goal line to end the home teams’ opening drive. Moody then connected on a 48-yard kick to increase the advantage to 6-0.

The Commanders turned it over again immediately after when running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt fumbled on his own 33 yard line late in the first quarter. Chicago needed only five plays to reach the end zone, with QB Caleb Williams bringing it in himself from 1-yard out to increase the margin to 13-0 in the second quarter.

Washington responded on the next drive with Daniels hitting Chris Moore for a 22-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 13-7. Matt Gay hit the goal post with a 50 yard field goal attempt right before the half and the game went to the break with the difference still at 6.

Both squads kicked field goals in their first drives of the third quarter although the Bears briefly thought they had a touchdown pass to Rome Odunze that was negated by a questionable illegal formation call. The Commanders did connect for a go-ahead TD when a blown coverage left WR Luke McCaffrey wide open for a 33-yard score.

The momentum swing continued when Moody had a 48-yard FG attempt blocked at the start of the fourth quarter and Washington converted it into a 6-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to veteran tight end Zach Ertz to build a 24-16 lead. Chicago jumped on a defensive lapse by their opponent on the ensuing drive when Daniels hit running back D’Andre Swift on a third down swing pass that he broke for a 55-yard TD that got them to 24-22.

The Bears failed to convert the two-point conversion and remained behind by two. The Commanders appeared to be in position to run out the clock as they drove past the 50 yard line with three minutes left in the game. Then disaster struck for the home team as Daniels fumbled a handoff attempt to Croskey-Merritt and defensive back Nahshon Wright recovered it.

Chicago fed the ball to Swift who broke a couple of big runs to move them into position for a game-winning field goal. With a steady rain falling, Moody calmly connected on a 38-yard kick to give the Bears a 25-24 victory for the second week in a row. (Box score)

Why the Bears Won

They created three turnovers, established the ground game, and did not fold when they fell behind in the second half.

Key Moment

The Bears got a gift when the Commanders coughed up the ball at the end of the game but they took full advantage of it driving to get the win.

Stats That Matter

• Williams missed a couple of throws but overall it was a pretty good game with 252 yards and two touchdowns, one of which came on the ground.
• Swift had a huge night with 108 yards rushing and 67 receiving yards.

Bottom Line

The Bears are winning the games they were losing under Matt Eberflus with Ben Johnson at the helm. They are far from a well-oiled machine but they are competitive and don’t seem overwhelmed by the moment this season. Chicago now has four consecutive contests against opponents with losing records ahead on the schedule. They have an opportunity to get themselves in position to make the playoffs if they can get on a roll.

Next Up

The Bears welcome the Saints to Soldier Field Sunday for a Week 7 matchup starting at 12:00pm CT on FOX.