The Chicago Bears came into Monday night’s game against the Washington Commanders with a monkey on their back. Last season, the Hail Mary disaster spelled the beginning of the end of their season. This was their chance to make it right, and they were able to pull out a 25-24 win in the final seconds.
It started well for Chicago, as they had a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. Eventually, however, the Commanders started to make a comeback. At one point, it looked like the Bears were going to blow their chance as Washington outscored them 24-3.
Late in the game, the Bears trailed 24-22, but Jake Moody, who was elevated from the practice squad before the game in relief of an injured Cairo Santos, kicked a game-winning 38-yard field goal as the clock expired.
For the second game in a row, the Bears did what they needed to do to win a football game. The defense forced a turnover, the offense drove themselves into field goal range, and they won it in the final seconds.
Quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t light the world on fire, but he completed 17-of-29 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. He also had one rushing touchdown to get the Bears going early. Williams didn’t turn the ball over and came up when he was needed the most.
The star of the game was running back D’Andre Swift, who has taken some heat during his tenure with the Bears. Swift had 14 carries for 108 yards, averring 7.7 yards per carry. He also had two receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. This performance has a case for his best with the Bears.
Winning this game may have been one of the season’s early saviors. You can argue that for any of their three wins on this current win streak, but this one had meaning because of last year.
No matter how much anyone wants to downplay it, the Bears needed to go back to Washington and get the win. Head coach Ben Johnson wasn’t with them last year, but he knows how much that game broke the team. Also, Washington was in the NFC Championship last season, beating them is a quality win.
Moody had one field goal blocked, but he hit four others and had a total of 13 points in the game. For being a day-of practice squad call-up, his contributions were as important as anyone on the team. That includes having ice in his veins enough to kick a game-winner.
It is games like this that you see the biggest difference between Johnson and Matt Eberflus. In previous years, the Bears would have folded after blowing the lead. With this coaching staff, any win is possible.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Commanders: Instant analysis from Chicago’s Week 6 win
