When Chicago Bears clinched a 25‑24 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday, October 14, 2025, the stadium lights in Landover, Maryland seemed to flicker in sync with the wet grass.
The showdown unfolded at Northwest Stadium during the NFL’s Week 6 Monday Night Football double‑header, broadcast nationally on ESPN. Veteran play‑by‑play voice Joe Buck and former quarterback‑turned‑analyst Troy Aikman called the action as the Bears rallied from an eight‑point fourth‑quarter hole.
At the heart of the drama was rookie kicker Jake Moody. In his first night on the active roster, Moody slotted four field goals, the last a 38‑yard nail‑biter as the clock ticked down to three seconds. It was a storybook finish: Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled the snap on a wet ball, the ball popped up just high enough for the holder to set it, and Moody’s boot sailed cleanly through the uprights.
Game Overview
The Bears entered the night at 2‑2, hoping to snap a two‑game losing streak that had haunted their early season. The Commanders, sitting at 3‑2, were looking to solidify a shaky mid‑season surge. Oddly enough, the weather decided to play a bigger role than either side’s game plan.
Rain began to drizzle in the third quarter, turning the field into a slick canvas. By the fourth, the ball was constantly slick, causing a handful of mishandled snaps and muffed catches. ESPN’s live tracker noted that the “wet grass” turned routine field‑goal attempts into a gamble, a factor that would later define the outcome.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Early in the second quarter, Washington jumped ahead with a 14‑point lead, courtesy of a 24‑yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Deebo Samuel. The Bears answered back, but each drive was stalled by the slippery turf.
Midway through the third, a pivotal turnover shifted momentum. Bears safety Jordan Brisker intercepted a cross‑field pass intended for Samuel near the 35‑yard line and returned it 33 yards, setting up a short field‑goal drive that trimmed the lead to 21‑17.
The fourth quarter showed the Bears’ resilience. Quarterback Caleb Williams orchestrated a methodical drive, hitting wide receiver Rome Odunze on a deep sideline route that moved the chains. A subsequent scramble by D'Andre Swift forced a fumble recovered by the Bears, giving them a fresh set of downs.
With just 1:12 left, the Bears found themselves down 24‑22. Williams fired a quick slant to tight end Cole Kmet for a first down, and a later scramble set up a field‑goal attempt by Moody. The first try fizzed out—wet conditions meant the snap was a fraction high—so the Bears called a timeout and tried again. This time the snap was clean, the hold perfect, and Moody’s boot split the uprights, sealing a 25‑24 win.
Player Performances
Moody’s composure was the headline. After a shaky start earlier in his career that saw him labeled “wildly inconsistent,” his four‑field‑goal night—including the decisive 38‑yard try—earned him the moniker “hero of the night.”
Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner, finished with 252 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions—a career‑high efficiency rating against a defense that had been “mostly non‑existent” in the pass rush, as analyst Harrison Graham observed on Bears Now.
On the defensive side, the Bears’ front seven managed just three sacks, but they forced two crucial turnovers. Von Miller, despite limited snaps, recorded a crucial tackle for loss that stifled a potential Washington drive in the third quarter.
For Washington, Daniels threw for 281 yards and one touchdown, but the fumble on the final snap erased his otherwise solid performance. Deebo Samuel, who had 78 receiving yards, was left without his usual arsenal of big plays after injuries forced the team to bench wideouts Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown.
Injuries and Absences
The injury list was a silent undercurrent throughout the game. The Commanders entered without their top wide receiver Terry McLaurin, sidelined with a hamstring strain, and rookie Noah Brown, out after a high‑ankle sprain. Meanwhile, the Bears missed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who was listed as inactive due to a lingering knee issue.
Both teams also listed several players as “questionable.” Washington’s tight end Zach Ertz played despite a lingering ankle sprain, while Chicago’s special teams ace Travis Homer saw limited snaps after a nagging groin injury.
What This Means for the Bears and Commanders
With the win, the Bears improved to 3‑2, matching the best three‑game start in franchise history since 2019. The victory also marked their third straight win, a streak that erases the memory of an 0‑2 start earlier this season.
For Washington, the loss drops them to 3‑3, leaving them squarely in the “middle of the pack” in the NFC East. The defeat punctuates a pattern: three losses in six games, a trend that will force head coach Ron Rivera—who, by the way, has publicly emphasized the need for “cleaner ball handling in wet conditions”—to re‑evaluate the offensive scheme.
Historical Context
The win carried an extra layer of “revenge” for Chicago. In their previous meeting a month earlier, Washington pulled off a stunning Hail‑Mary reversal that left the Bears shell‑shocked. This time, the Bears turned the tables, engineering a comeback that reminded fans of the 2018 “Miracle at the Meadowlands”—only with a wet field and a kicker in the spotlight.
Analyst Tony Romo noted during the post‑game show that “the Bears showed the grit that has been missing all season. If they can keep this composure in clutch moments, they’re a playoff contender.”
Broadcast and Viewing Options
Fans without access to the ESPN app or YouTube TV could still catch the game on ABC, as confirmed by Bears Now’s live‑coverage team. The broadcast featured a memorable call from Joe Buck: “SECOND DOWN AND 5… QUICK THROW, D.J. MOORE—” moments later, the commentator’s voice cracked with excitement as the ball snapped high, prompting the now‑famous “KICK IS GOOD! AND THE BEARS WIN IT.”
- Kick: Jake Moody – 4/4 FG (including 38‑yard winner)
- Passing yards: Caleb Williams – 252, Jayden Daniels – 281
- Turnovers: Bears – 2, Commanders – 1
- Attendance: Approx. 68,000 fans battled rain‑soaked seats
Looking Ahead
The Bears now turn their gaze to Week 7, where they host the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. If they can replicate the late‑game poise, the Lions—a team plagued by a porous defense—could be an easy win.
Washington, on the other hand, faces a daunting road trip to the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Rivera has promised a “focus on ball security” after the costly snap mishap, and the team will need to find a way to protect the wet ball if they hope to stay alive in the NFC race.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Chicago Bears’ playoff chances?
The victory lifts Chicago to 3‑2, putting them in the top half of the NFC. With a third straight win and a balanced offense, they’ve secured a solid platform for a playoff push, especially if they maintain late‑game composure.
What caused the decisive field‑goal mistake by the Commanders?
Rain left the ball slick, causing quarterback Jayden Daniels to fumble the snap on a 38‑yard attempt. The mis‑snap, combined with a high ball, forced a hurried hold that ultimately benefitted Jake Moody’s kick.
Which players were unavailable for the game, and how did it impact the result?
The Commanders missed star receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, limiting their passing options. Chicago was without defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, which slightly weakened their interior line but didn’t hinder the overall defensive effort.
What lessons did analysts draw from the weather’s impact on the game?
Experts highlighted the importance of ball security in wet conditions. Both teams struggled with snaps and catches, underscoring that special‑teams execution becomes critical when the field is slick.
When and where can fans watch the next Bears game?
Chicago faces the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.