Jake Moody’s Field Goal Lifts Bears Over Commanders 25-24 on Final Kick/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Chicago Bears edged out the Washington Commanders 25-24 on Monday night, sealed by Jake Moody’s 38-yard field goal as time expired. Caleb Williams and D’Andre Swift powered the Bears’ offense, while Washington’s late-game fumble proved costly. The win extends Chicago’s streak to three games under rookie head coach Ben Johnson.
Bears vs. Commanders Quick Looks
- Jake Moody hits 38-yard field goal as time expires
- Bears win 25-24 in Monday night thriller
- Caleb Williams throws for 252 yards, rushes for a TD
- D’Andre Swift: 108 rushing yards, 67 receiving, 1 TD
- Commanders commit 3 turnovers, including late fumble
- Jayden Daniels tosses 3 TDs, his first INT of season
- Williams vs. Daniels rivalry now tied 1-1
- Commanders miss chance to tie Eagles atop NFC East
- Bears improve to 3-2; Commanders fall to 3-3
- Moody replaced injured Cairo Santos, went 4-for-5 FG
Deep Look: Jake Moody’s Game-Winner Lifts Bears Past Commanders in Monday Night Nail-Biter
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — A year after a miracle Hail Mary capped a wild finish between the Bears and Commanders, Chicago flipped the script on Monday night. This time, it was Jake Moody’s 38-yard field goal as time expired that gave the Bears a dramatic 25-24 road victory over Washington.
New to the roster and pressed into action due to Cairo Santos’ quad injury, Moody delivered in his debut, connecting on four of five field goal attempts. The decisive kick capped a nine-play, 36-yard drive orchestrated by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, following a costly Washington fumble late in the fourth quarter.
“I got here not too long ago,” Moody said postgame. “But for everybody to embrace me and take me in as one of their own is an amazing feeling.”
Moody’s performance was a much-needed redemption story. Cut by the San Francisco 49ers in September after missing two attempts in Week 1, the 2023 third-round draft pick seized his second chance in the NFL spotlight.
While last year’s “Hail Maryland” — Jayden Daniels’ 52-yard game-winning touchdown — left Bears fans gutted, this matchup ended differently. Daniels, drafted second behind Williams in 2024, threw for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns, but also suffered his first interception of the season and was involved in a late-game botched handoff that ultimately swung the game.
“I had a lack of focus there and it cost us the game,” Daniels admitted when asked about the fumble exchange with rookie RB Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt.
That fumble — one of three turnovers by Washington on the night — set up the Bears’ final possession with just over three minutes left.
Chicago capitalized behind the electric performance of D’Andre Swift, who ran for 108 yards on 14 carries and added 67 receiving yards, including a 55-yard touchdown reception in the first half. His ability to break a missed tackle by Commanders safety Quan Martin turned what could’ve been a short gain into a momentum-shifting score.
Williams, the reigning No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, completed 17 of 29 passes for 252 yards with a touchdown and also ran for a score, showcasing poise in a tight contest.
“You play versus great players, you want to have those moments,” Williams said of the budding rivalry with Daniels. “He knows that. I know that.”
Washington, now 3-3, lost a chance to match Philadelphia atop the NFC East, continuing a frustrating pattern of alternating wins and losses.
“You really don’t deserve to win many games when you’re in that space,” said Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, referencing the team’s three turnovers after just as many in their previous five games combined.
Daniels was also without two key weapons: Noah Brown, who missed his fourth game due to knee and groin injuries, and Terry McLaurin, out for the third straight week with a quad issue. Despite these absences, Daniels remained efficient until late, but the Commanders’ inability to protect the football doomed them.
On the defensive side, Dorance Armstrong returned from a hamstring injury to notch his sixth sack of the season, but later exited again.
Injuries continued to hit both sides:
- Bears WR D.J. Moore was held overnight in Washington for precautionary medical evaluation.
- Chicago LB Noah Sewell exited with a concussion in the second quarter and did not return.
With the win, the Bears improved to 3-2, riding a three-game winning streak under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. They’ll look to continue the momentum next Sunday when they host the struggling New Orleans Saints (1-5).
The Commanders face a tough challenge on the road against division rival Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1).
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