The Chicago Bears deserved to lose that game, and in years past, they probably would have. But not this time. On a rainy Monday night, they overcame miscue after miscue after miscue, and they kept battling
until they pulled out a 25 to 24 road win over the Washington Commanders.
The defense fought.
The running game showed up.
The special teams came through.
When a play needed to be made, the Bears made it. This is not only three wins in a row for the Bears, but they showed the ability to overcome adversity in each of these games.
“It was a really good team win here,” head coach Ben Johsnon said in his opening remarks of his postgame press conference. “That’s a really good opponent that we went against in a very hostile environment, and I thought all three phases came through for us when needed. So, you know it was not our cleanest game. We made a number of mistakes, and penalties were an issue, but once again, our team was resilient and they found a way to win.”
“So very proud of them.”
The Bears outgained the Commanders 381 yards to 329, but Washington had more first downs (22 to 19), were better on third downs (37.5% to 30%), and made their lone fourth down try while the Bears failed to convert theirs.
Chicago was penalized 9 times for 84 yards to 5 for 40 for the Commanders, but the Bears won the turnover battle 3 to 0.
Let’s look at the Bears’ playing time breakdowns and a few individual stats from the game.
OFFENSE
Caleb Williams had an up-and-down game. He had a couple of near picks, but he lost a touchdown to a bogus penalty after a phenomenal throw and catch by Rome Odunze. There was also a drop by Olamide Zaccheaus that would have gone for a big gain. Ultimately, he and the Bears made the plays when they had to.
The player of the game was D’Andre Swift, who had 95 of Chicago’s 109 total yards in the fourth quarter. His 175 yards from scrimmage is his most since September 14, 2023, when he had 181 for the Eagles.
Swift got a game ball in part for his 7.7 yards per carry, but how about the Bears’ offensive line in the run game? And the tight ends. And I have to mention the no-block, no-rock wide receivers, especially DJ Moore, who was in the mix all night despite having something going on that found him in the hospital after the game.
DEFENSE
Tremaine Edmunds had 13 tackles, and T.J. Edwards had 9 in his return.
Kevin Byard III had 6 tackles and a tackle for loss.
Nashon Wright had 5 tackles, a TFL, a pass defended, and the big fourth quarter fumble recovery.
Kyler Gordon had 2 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Montez Sweat had 3 tackles, a PD, and a forced fumble.
Gervon Dexter Sr. had 5 tackles and a sack and a half.
Dominique Robinson had a half sack and 3 tackles.
Jaquan Brisker had an interception and 3 tackles.
The Bears were credited with 1 team sack.
SPECIAL TEAMS*
*The above image has players who only played in the third phase.
Jake Moody filled in for an injured Cairo Santos, and he hit his lone extra point and 4 of 5 field goals, while having one blocked. But that final game winner from 38 yards out will be one he remembers for the rest of his life.
Tory Taylor had 2 punts for a 53.0 average (48.5 net).
Jonathan Owens had 3 special teams tackles, and Daniel Hardy had 2.
To check out the complete Bears vs. Commanders box score, I find that ESPN has an easy-to-navigate site. Hit that link if you want to see all the game’s numbers.
All statistics and snap counts, as well as the accompanying pictures, are taken directly from the NFL’s Game Statistic and Information System.
