While many expected the Chicago Bears' duel against the Washington Commanders to be a shootout between top picks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, defenses ruled the game for most of the evening. When Washington did come alive, they did so at the last possible second.
A Daniels Hail Mary ended up being the game-winner in a victory that pushed Washington up to 6-2 on the season. Rather than leaving with a 5-2 record and wins in four of their last five games, a moment of poor execution cost Chicago dearly in what has generally been an encouraging season.
Those listening on the radio were treated to an even more crushing form of punishment after Daniels and the Commanders pulled off one of the more improbable wins fans will ever see. The deflating nature of this loss could linger for quite some time if Chicago doesn't improve quickly.
Bears radio call on the Jayden Daniels Hail Mary #bears #commanders #nfl pic.twitter.com/R0U3Shfria
— jt (@trustjvcob) October 28, 2024
Radio call of Bears-Commanders Hail Mary is heartbreaking for Chicago fans
This is made worse by the fact cornerback Tyrique Stevenson made himself the target of severe infamy by taunting fans and not realizing the play was live until a few seconds after the ball was snapped. While he apologized after the fact, the damage was done, and the Bears are now 4-3.
Not only did the Bears lose in heartbreaking fashion, but they did so in a game where Williams was totally overwhelmed. After multiple strong weeks in a row, the Bears quarterback went into the fourth quarter with just a handful of completed passes against one of the worst defenses in the league.
The Bears may be 4-3 with a rookie quarterback in Williams, but the depth and quality of the NFC North has put them in last place. The Bears have not played any of their divisional rivals yet, which could make things a bit more difficult for a Chicago team that has hit the skids in the most crushing way possible.
The Bears can pick themselves up the mat and forget this whole thing if they are well-coached team, but snatching defeat from the jaws of victory like this could be the catalyst for a regression that takes their once-promising start and throws it in the trash.