After Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz to take a 24-16 lead with 11:27 left in the fourth quarter, many Bears fans found themselves in a familiar territory. The Bears have lost many games like this in the past, and they were on their way towards another agonizing loss.
But Monday night was different as the Bears mounted a gutsy comeback and won 25-24.
Following Washington's touchdown drive, quarterback Caleb Williams threw a short completion to running back D'Andre Swift, and he turned it into a 55-yard touchdown pass, thanks to the poor tackling attempt by Washington cornerback Quan Martin.
Then, with about three minutes left, Daniels lost the grip of the ball, and his handoff to running back Bill Croskey-Merritt hit the ground at their own 44-yard line. Cornerback Nahshon Wright recovered the fumble, and from there, the offense engineered a comeback as Swift grinded 34 yards on five carries. Kicker Jake Moody kicked a game-winning 38-yard field goal, and the Bears finally exorcised their demons in Washington.
The Chicago Bears finally got their payback
The theme of the night was redemption, and the Bears got one almost a year later after last year's Hail Mary debacle. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who was ridiculed for his role in last year's loss, was solid. Williams, returning to his hometown, showed poise throughout the game, completing 17 of 29 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers.
And let's not forget Ben Johnson lost to the Commanders, 45-31, in the NFC Divisional Playoffs in January. He was accused by the Lions fans of not focusing enough on the game while interviewing for vacant head coaching jobs. When he took the Bears job just a few days later, it enraged the Lions fans even further.
When the run game was stagnant through four weeks, Johnson defended Swift and did not throw him under the bus. He inserted Theo Benedet at left tackle, and the return of Darnell Wright at right tackle allowed the Bears to run outside effectively.
Swift responded with 108 yards on 14 carries and 67 receiving yards, as he benefited from the best run-blocking performance by Chicago's offensive line. Johnson backed up his words, and the run game showed much-needed life.
And last, but not least, Moody got the ultimate redemption. He was released by San Francisco after a Week 1 loss to Seattle, claimed by the Bears, and was placed on the practice squad.
He had to be promoted after Cairo Santos suffered a thigh injury, and all he did was kick four field goals, including the game-winner with three seconds left. Even if he goes back to the practice squad and ends up claimed by other teams, Moody's night will not be forgotten.
Read more: D'Andre Swift said what every Bears fan thought about the Jayden Daniels fumble
Chicago now sits at 3–2, riding a wave of momentum and a renewed sense of belief. The demons of last season have been slayed, and the Bears are changing their perception and narrative under Johnson’s leadership one game at a time.