Bears Edge Commanders with Walk‑Off Field Goal in Monday Night Thriller

When Chicago Bears clashed with the Washington Commanders on Monday night, nobody expected a drama that would echo a Hail Mary from a season earlier. The showdown, part of Monday Night Football Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland, ended with a walk‑off field goal after Jayden Daniels’s fumble handed the Bears a 25‑24 victory.

How the Game Unfolded

The first quarter was a quiet affair. Caleb Williams, quarterback for the Bears, delivered two crisp completions that set up a nine‑yard rush by D'Andre Swift. The drive capped with a 47‑yard field goal from Jake Moody, nudging Chicago ahead 3‑0.

Washington answered in the second quarter, with Daniels orchestrating a 70‑yard march that ended in a touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel. The Commanders closed the half at 7‑6, but the Bears replied before the break: a balanced attack saw Williams connect with Rome Odunze for a 22‑yard strike, followed by a short‑run TD by Swift. The scoreboard read 13‑7 in Chicago’s favor at halftime.

Third‑quarter momentum swung toward Washington. Montez Sweat (defensive end) forced a sack, giving Daniels a fresh set of downs. A quick slant to Zach Ertz resulted in a 15‑yard TD, pushing the Commanders ahead 17‑13. The Bears managed a field goal later, trimming the deficit to 17‑16.

That set the stage for a fourth quarter that felt like a mini‑playoff. Early, the Bears reclaimed the lead with a 34‑yard drive capped by a 5‑yard rushing TD from Tyrique Stevenson. The Commanders, however, answered with a 12‑play drive that saw Daniels scramble for a 6‑yard TD to Colston Loveland, re‑establishing a 24‑23 margin.

The Climactic Fumble

With under a minute left, Daniels found himself in the red zone, eyes darting between the blitz and his receivers. On a third‑and‑goal, he attempted a quick throw to Samuel, but a defensive tackle from Chicago, Grady Jarrett, penetrated the pocket. The ball bounced off Daniels’ fingers, hit the turf, and was scooped up by Bears safety Kyler Gordon. With the clock ticking, the Bears lined up for a 46‑yard field‑goal attempt.

Jake Moody—already solid earlier—slid through the uprights with seconds remaining. The stadium erupted, and the scoreboard flipped to 25‑24. Chicago had not only won; they had avenged the previous season’s Hail Mary loss to Washington, a narrative thread that loomed over the entire game.

Reactions From the Sidelines

Post‑game, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus praised his team's resilience. “We stayed patient, we trusted the process,” he said, gesturing toward the offensive line’s adjusted protection scheme that featured Theo Benedict at left tackle. “That fumble turned into a 100‑yard drive for the win.”

On the opposite side, Daniels, visibly shaken, admitted the error was “a split‑second decision” that cost them. “I saw an opening, tried to make a play, and it didn’t work out,” he reflected. Analysts on CBS Sports highlighted the turnover as the decisive moment, noting that Washington’s defense had been surprisingly porous in the red‑zone over the past two games.

Meanwhile, the broadcast team on ABC emphasized the “Monday Night Magic” factor—how a game that seemed ordinary after three quarters transformed into a nail‑biter that will be replayed in highlight reels for weeks.

Impact on the NFC Landscape

The win nudged the Bears back to a .500 record (2‑2) and kept them competitive in the NFC North, where the Green Bay Packers still sit atop at 3‑1‑1. For Washington, the loss dropped them to 3‑2, easing the pressure on their home‑field advantage streak. Both teams remain within two games of the division lead, meaning every Thursday night and each “bye‑week” decision now carries amplified significance.

Statistically, the Bears outgained the Commanders 382‑371 yards, but the turnover margin swung –1 in Washington’s favor after that crucial fumble. Jake Moody’s field‑goal percentage improved to 92% (11‑of‑12 for the season), while Daniels completed 22‑of‑35 passes for 274 yards, two TDs, and one interception.

What’s Next for Both Franchises

Chicago heads to a Friday night matchup against the Detroit Lions, a game many expect to be a test of the Bears’ defensive adjustments. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai hinted at more blitz packages to pressure opposing QBs, a lesson learned from the Daniels fumble.

Washington, meanwhile, travels to New York to face the Giants. Their focus, according to offensive coordinator Earl Grant, will be on ball security and a more disciplined red‑zone approach. The Commanders will also be without wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, who remain sidelined with injuries.

Key Facts

• Final Score: Chicago Bears 25, Washington Commanders 24
• Date & Time: October 13, 2025, 8:15 PM ET
• Venue: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
• Winning Play: 46‑yard field goal by Jake Moody after Jayden Daniels’ fumble
• Broadcast: ABC (Monday Night Football), ESPN streaming platforms