Jake Moody delivered a dramatic 38-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Chicago Bears to a 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday night.
Moody, elevated from the practice squad earlier in the day after Cairo Santos was ruled out with a quad injury, proved to be the hero. He converted four of five field-goal attempts in his first game on the Bears’ active roster.
The game was a back-and-forth battle in the fourth quarter. With Washington leading 24-22, the Bears got a crucial break when Nahshon Wright recovered a fumble by Jayden Daniels at the Chicago 44-yard line with just over three minutes left. D’Andre Swift, who had an impressive 108 yards on 14 carries, ran for a 10-yard gain to secure a first down, followed by a 15-yard rush to the Washington 18.
Two plays later, Moody sealed the game with his game-winning field goal, giving Chicago (3-2) its third straight win. This victory was a form of redemption for the Bears, who had lost to the Commanders 18-15 in a heartbreaking last-play Hail Mary last season.
Caleb Williams, the Bears’ quarterback, had a solid outing, completing 17 of 29 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. Washington (3-3) was led by quarterback Daniels, who threw for 211 yards on 19-of-26 passing, with three touchdowns and one interception.
The Commanders were without key wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee). Washington, which had trailed 13-0 early, took a 17-16 lead after Daniels connected with Luke McCaffrey for a 33-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
However, a blocked field goal by Moody and a touchdown pass from Daniels to Zach Ertz put Washington up 24-16 with just over 11 minutes to go. But the Bears responded quickly. A 55-yard touchdown run by Swift, after a short pass from Williams, brought Chicago within two points at 24-22.
Moody had previously kicked field goals of 47 and 41 yards earlier in the game, helping keep Chicago in striking distance. The win gives the Bears momentum heading into their next game, as they extend their winning streak to three.
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