Monday Night Redemption: Bears Edge Commanders 25–24 in a Rainy Thriller

The Chicago Bears walked into Monday night with something to prove. A year removed from that gut-wrenching Hail Mary loss to Washington, the Bears went on the road, battled the rain, and left D.C. with a 25–24 win that feels like more than just another W—it feels like a culture shift in Chicago.

Early Control and Strong Trenches

The Bears set the tone early, jumping out to a 13–0 lead thanks to efficient offense and a defense that came out firing. Rookie left tackle Theo Benedet made the start and impressed, helping anchor an offensive line that dominated the line of scrimmage. The group paved the way for the run game and gave Caleb Williams the time he needed to operate, keeping him upright for most of the night despite the slick conditions.

This was one of those games where you could see how much growth the offense has made—balanced, patient, and confident even when things got tough.

Caleb’s Continued Growth

Caleb Williams continues to grow in Ben Johnson’s offense, showing better command pre-snap and getting more comfortable making adjustments at the line. He finished the night 17-of-29 for 252 yards and a touchdown, also adding another score on the ground.

There are still a few moments where Caleb misses receivers in stride—making them sit on routes instead of hitting them in rhythm—but the development is clear. He’s settling in, learning to lead, and beginning to look like the franchise quarterback Bears fans have waited for.

Swift and the Balanced Attack

The Bears finally got the run game going, and it was a sight for sore eyes. D’Andre Swift exploded for 108 yards on 14 carries, averaging an impressive 7.7 yards per carry. The commitment to balance paid off—10 different players either ran the ball or caught a pass, showing how this offense is spreading the wealth and keeping defenses guessing.

Defense Finds Its Groove Again

Coming off the bye week, Chicago’s defense looked reenergized—thanks in large part to the return of key pieces T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon. Edwards led the team with 9 tackles, while Gordon added 2 tackles and a key fumble recovery.

The Bears’ defense continued its recent hot streak in the takeaway department, forcing three more turnovers, bringing their total to 11 in the last three games. They also did an excellent job bottling up Washington’s ground attack, holding the Commanders’ lead back to just 61 rushing yards.

But it wasn’t all perfect—Chicago still showed some vulnerability against scrambling quarterbacks, giving up a few big gains to Jayden Daniels. Nahshon Wright also had a tough outing, which only highlighted how much this defense misses Jaylon Johnson locking down opposing teams’ top receivers.

Daniels Dazzles, But Bears Close It Out

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels gave the Bears all they could handle, finishing 19-of-26 for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing for 52 yards. He made plays under pressure and kept the Commanders in it until the very end.

But the Bears’ defense stiffened when it mattered most, forcing a key turnover late to set up a chance to win.

Jake Moody’s Moment

Called up from the practice squad, Jake Moody became the unexpected hero. After hitting 3-of-4 field goals throughout the game, he nailed the 38-yard game-winner in the final seconds to lift Chicago to a 25–24 victory. From practice squad to prime time—it doesn’t get more storybook than that.

Culture Shift in Chicago

These are the games the Bears used to lose. Close, messy, emotional battles that slipped away in the fourth quarter. But not anymore.

You can feel it—something’s changing in Chicago. The Bears are learning how to win tight games, how to respond to adversity, and how to trust each other when it matters most.

It’s only one win in the standings, but it’s a huge win for what it represents: growth, belief, and the beginning of a new era of Bears football.

Article by Ryan Burhite