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LANDOVER, MD – A windy, misty night in the suburbs of the nation’s capital produced a highly entertaining rematch between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, the Bears prevailing 25-24 in the 55th meeting of two of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
And while this installment didn’t have QUITE the dramatic that last year’s chapter produced, it produced wild finish nonetheless, one decided by a most unexpected figure.
Who ranked among the subset of winners and losers from a game that could have major playoff implications down the road for a pair of teams with three wins apiece? Here we go …
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ game-ending 52-yard heave to WR Noah Brown nearly a year ago gave Washington a stunning 18-15 triumph – one that helped catapult the Commanders to the NFC championship game while sending the Bears into an unrecoverable 10-game slide that cost then-coach Matt Eberflus his job. But no such pyrotechnics on this wet night, Chicago exorcising those demons – for the time being – while running its winning streak to three games.
This was a happy homecoming for the Washington native, though this game was still a microcosm of his still nascent career – frequent flashes expected of a No. 1 overall pick, though barely enough to secure a much-needed win, his proclivity to hold onto the ball too long again rearing its head. But Williams – he passed for 252 yards and a TD and ran for another score – led a mistake-free final drive that culminated in a game-winning field goal while fully bleeding the clock. He’s still chasing Daniels, and probably Drake Maye and perhaps others – draftmate Michael Penix Jr. led an Atlanta Falcons upset of the Buffalo Bills earlier Monday night – in a 2024 draft that seems poised to lend itself to re-legislation for years to come. But this round goes to the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, not Daniels (the 2023 winner).
Capitalizing on additional snaps in place of Brown and fellow injured WR Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey got wide open for a 33-yard touchdown, his third in the past four games. Factor in a special teams tackle and his 127 aggregate kickoff return yards, and the youngest of the McCaffrey brothers continues to earn the “Luuuuuuke” cheers raining down from the Northwest Stadium fans.
It appeared rejuvenated by some offensive line adjustments, producing a season-best 145 yards and 5.4 per attempt. Lead back D'Andre Swift burst through wider lanes for a season-high 108 yards, though his 55-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter really swung the game’s momentum back toward Da Bears.
Apparently all the Michigan product needed to do was return to a Big Ten team. Cut by the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted Moody in the third round two years ago, he drilled his first three field-goal attempts and a PAT in his Bears debut. But his 38-yarder at the gun, and in unideal weather, proved decisive.
With Chicago trailing by a point to start the fourth quarter, Moody sent a 48-yard FG try directly into Washington DT Daron Payne for the easiest block he’ll ever record. For much of the period, it seemed like this might be the moment that defined the young kicker’s night.
Oddy, Chicago is just 1-2 this season when it posts at least 100 yards on the ground but 2-0 when it doesn’t.
Three of them – an interception and two fumbles – led to 13 Bears points. And on a night when Chicago didn’t give the rock away? Ball game.
In his second contest back from a knee sprain that cost him two games, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year had an uneven performance … even if, for now, he’s still the premier player from the 2024 draft (though Maye is coming). After a costly first-quarter interception deep in Chicago territory that eventually led to a Bears TD – perhaps a 14-point swing – Daniels rebounded to pass for 211 yards and three TDs while rushing for 52 yards on his bum wheel. He generally kept his currently frail frame out of harm’s way, but he wasn’t quite his explosive self, and the early mistake was costly.
Just in case you’re not familiar with the hashtag/slogan attached to the Commanders on social media – but they belatedly raised some after falling into a 13-point second-quarter deficit, before earning some Hail in the coming days after their collapse, one that cost them a share of first place in the NFC East.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears vs Commanders winners and losers led by Jake Moody, QBs
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And while this installment didn’t have QUITE the dramatic that last year’s chapter produced, it produced wild finish nonetheless, one decided by a most unexpected figure.
Who ranked among the subset of winners and losers from a game that could have major playoff implications down the road for a pair of teams with three wins apiece? Here we go …
WINNERS
Hail Mary
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ game-ending 52-yard heave to WR Noah Brown nearly a year ago gave Washington a stunning 18-15 triumph – one that helped catapult the Commanders to the NFC championship game while sending the Bears into an unrecoverable 10-game slide that cost then-coach Matt Eberflus his job. But no such pyrotechnics on this wet night, Chicago exorcising those demons – for the time being – while running its winning streak to three games.
Caleb Williams
This was a happy homecoming for the Washington native, though this game was still a microcosm of his still nascent career – frequent flashes expected of a No. 1 overall pick, though barely enough to secure a much-needed win, his proclivity to hold onto the ball too long again rearing its head. But Williams – he passed for 252 yards and a TD and ran for another score – led a mistake-free final drive that culminated in a game-winning field goal while fully bleeding the clock. He’s still chasing Daniels, and probably Drake Maye and perhaps others – draftmate Michael Penix Jr. led an Atlanta Falcons upset of the Buffalo Bills earlier Monday night – in a 2024 draft that seems poised to lend itself to re-legislation for years to come. But this round goes to the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, not Daniels (the 2023 winner).
LMC
Capitalizing on additional snaps in place of Brown and fellow injured WR Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey got wide open for a 33-yard touchdown, his third in the past four games. Factor in a special teams tackle and his 127 aggregate kickoff return yards, and the youngest of the McCaffrey brothers continues to earn the “Luuuuuuke” cheers raining down from the Northwest Stadium fans.
Bears run game
It appeared rejuvenated by some offensive line adjustments, producing a season-best 145 yards and 5.4 per attempt. Lead back D'Andre Swift burst through wider lanes for a season-high 108 yards, though his 55-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter really swung the game’s momentum back toward Da Bears.
Jake Moody
Apparently all the Michigan product needed to do was return to a Big Ten team. Cut by the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted Moody in the third round two years ago, he drilled his first three field-goal attempts and a PAT in his Bears debut. But his 38-yarder at the gun, and in unideal weather, proved decisive.
LOSERS
Jake Moody
With Chicago trailing by a point to start the fourth quarter, Moody sent a 48-yard FG try directly into Washington DT Daron Payne for the easiest block he’ll ever record. For much of the period, it seemed like this might be the moment that defined the young kicker’s night.
Bears run game
Oddy, Chicago is just 1-2 this season when it posts at least 100 yards on the ground but 2-0 when it doesn’t.
Commanders turnovers
Three of them – an interception and two fumbles – led to 13 Bears points. And on a night when Chicago didn’t give the rock away? Ball game.
Jayden Daniels
In his second contest back from a knee sprain that cost him two games, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year had an uneven performance … even if, for now, he’s still the premier player from the 2024 draft (though Maye is coming). After a costly first-quarter interception deep in Chicago territory that eventually led to a Bears TD – perhaps a 14-point swing – Daniels rebounded to pass for 211 yards and three TDs while rushing for 52 yards on his bum wheel. He generally kept his currently frail frame out of harm’s way, but he wasn’t quite his explosive self, and the early mistake was costly.
#RaiseHail
Just in case you’re not familiar with the hashtag/slogan attached to the Commanders on social media – but they belatedly raised some after falling into a 13-point second-quarter deficit, before earning some Hail in the coming days after their collapse, one that cost them a share of first place in the NFC East.
All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears vs Commanders winners and losers led by Jake Moody, QBs
Continue reading...
