Washington Commanders Stage Dramatic Comeback Against Chicago Bears
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels connected with Noah Brown on a 52-yard Hail Mary as time expired, leading the Washington Commanders to an 18-15 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Daniels, playing through a rib injury, scrambled for several seconds before launching the ball from the Commanders’ 35-yard line. The pass was deflected about three yards short of the goal line and landed in the arms of Brown, who was standing alone in the end zone.
Chicago had taken its first lead with just 23 seconds remaining in the game, moving ahead 15-12 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Roschon Johnson after a pass-interference penalty on the Commanders (6-2). The Bears (4-3) saw their winning streak snapped at three after falling behind 12-0, culminating in the last-second heroics that sent players and fans into a frenzy.
The unexpected touchdown marked Daniels’ 21st completion on 38 attempts, contributing to his 326 passing yards while also running for 52 yards. This matchup featured the NFL’s sixth meeting of rookie quarterbacks taken with the top two picks in the draft, with Daniels outperforming Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick who finished 10 of 24 for 131 yards. Williams, a Washington-area native, had engineered a late 62-yard scoring drive after struggling early in the game.
Austin Seibert kicked four field goals for the Commanders, accounting for their only points until the dramatic Hail Mary. Seibert’s signing has proven significant for Washington, as he surpassed Mark Moseley’s franchise record for most field goals made and most points scored through Week 8 during an All-Pro season.
Injury Updates: The Bears lost left tackle Braxton Jones to a knee injury in the first half, while guards Teven Jenkins (knee) and Bill Murray (chest) were sidelined in the fourth quarter. The Commanders also faced injury challenges with left tackle Cornelius Lucas leaving the game with an ankle injury. Rookie Brandon Coleman, who has been sharing snaps with Lucas, was inactive due to a concussion.
The Bears will visit Arizona next Sunday, while the Commanders are set to face the New York Giants.
Expert Discussion
To gain more insights into this thrilling game, we invited several experts:
- Dr. Emily Johnson, Sports Medicine Physician
- Mike Reynolds, NFL Analyst
- Sarah Kim, Sports Psychologist
Discussion Points:
Moderator: What were the key factors leading to Daniels’ successful Hail Mary throw?
Dr. Johnson: His ability to stay calm under pressure is crucial. Injuries can affect performance, but he demonstrated incredible focus.
Mike Reynolds: The offensive line’s protection allowed Daniels enough time to make that throw, which is essential for such late-game moments.
Sarah Kim: The mental aspect is huge. Daniels’ confidence post-injury likely influenced his performance during that final play.
Moderator:
Do you think this game will influence how rookie quarterbacks are perceived moving forward?
Mike Reynolds: Absolutely. This game showcased the potential of rookie quarterbacks, and fans will be keen on how they perform in high-stakes situations.
Join the Conversation!
What do you think about the Commanders’ thrilling victory? Who impressed you most during the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!