Winners, Losers As Bears Steal 25-24 Win Vs. Commanders On Monday Night Football

Winners, losers as Bears steal 25-24 win vs. Commanders on Monday Night Football originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jake Moody, welcome to Chicago.

The Bears stunned the Washington Commanders 25-24 on the road in the second Week 6 Monday Night Football game, as Moody nailed a 38-yard field goal as time expired.

Washington was in the middle of a promising drive to add to its lead when Jayden Daniels couldn’t hand the ball off properly to “Bill” Croskey-Merritt on a wet night. Nahshon Wright dove on the ball first, leading to Caleb Williams and Co. driving down the field.

It set the stage for Moody’s game winner, as the polarizing ex-San Francisco 49er was called upon for a marquee moment in his first game in Bears colors. After seeing his previous attempt blocked, the former third-round pick delivered.

The win puts Chicago at 3-2, as Ben Johnson’s side has rattled off three straight wins with the lowly New Orleans Saints next at home. Washington is now at 3-3 with a crucial road trip to the Dallas Cowboys on deck.

Let’s analyze the Chicago-Washington game further with winners and losers:

WINNER: Jake Moody, Bears

The game-winner leads off the list. In his first game as a Bear following his Week 1 release from San Francisco, Moody went 4-for-5 on his field goals, with the lone miss being blocked by ex-49er Javon Kinlaw.

Moody nailed multiple kicks from 47 and 48, also converting on his lone PAT try. With Cairo Santos unable to go, the Bears elevated Moody from their practice squad to give him a shot.

The former 49er took his opportunity after struggling mightily in the Bay Area. If he continues to hit kicks consistently, the Bears might have a kicker problem.

LOSER: Jayden Daniels, Commanders

How the margins can flip against you. If the Commanders had gone on to win this game, Daniels would’ve been a winner. But the sophomore quarterback will have a tough time sleeping following his hand-off miscue, which ultimately cost his team the game.

Daniels threw for 211 yards, three touchdowns and a pick on 19 of 26 completions while taking three sacks. He also rushed for 52 yards on 10 attempts.

But this was not the start the Commanders would’ve hoped for in Daniels’ second season, especially after making the NFC Championship in January. There’s still time to turn things around, but Washington needs to go on a run and soon — at Dallas would be a nice place to start.

WINNER: Revenge

In this same matchup at the same stadium a season ago, the Commanders emerged victorious when Daniels miraculously completed a memorable Hail Mary that Noah Brown got on the end of.

But just a season later, the roles reversed. This time it was Daniels at fault for the error that awarded Chicago the ball, and this time it was Chicago that emerged victorious with a score as time expired. Brown was not active for this game.

It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store the next time these two NFC sides meet.

LOSER: Deebo Samuel, Commanders

Speaking of ex-49ers, the Commanders needed much more out of Samuel in this game. The star wide receiver entered with a heel issue despite a positive start to the season, but was nowhere to be seen.

He recorded just four catches on five targets for 15 yards while losing a yard on his only rushing attempt. With Brown and Terry McLaurin inactive, Samuel should’ve stepped up more.

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz, 34, led the team in catches with six on six targets for 43 yards and a score.

WINNER: D’Andre Swift, Bears

It hasn’t always been the case in the Windy City, but D’Andre Swift posted multiple clutch plays through the ground and the passing game.

The 26-year-old running back ran for a season-high 108 yards on 14 carries, good for 7.7 an attempt with a long of 19.

He also caught a vital 55-yard touchdown at a key point in the fourth quarter to keep the pressure on Washington.

He had two catches on three targets for 67 yards in total. On a night where Caleb Williams threw for 252 yards and a touchdown on 17 of 29 targets, he benefitted from excellent dual-threat play from his RB1, similar to Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons in their win over the Buffalo Bills earlier in the doubleheader.