Bears Edge Commanders 25-24 on Monday Night Thriller
When Caleb Williams, the 23‑year‑old quarterback of the Chicago Bears threw his third touchdown pass with less than two minutes left, the stadium’s roar turned from nervous chatter to outright disbelief. The Bears had just pulled off a 25‑24 walk‑off victory at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, snapping a lingering sting from a Hail Mary loss earlier in the season. It was Monday Night Football on October 13, 2025, and the drama unfolded like a tightly scripted thriller – a fumble, a forced recovery near midfield, and a 52‑yard field goal that sealed the win as the clock hit zero.
Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves
The matchup was officially cataloged as Week 6 showdownFedExField, and it lived up to its billing. Chicago surged to a 13‑7 lead by halftime, thanks to a balanced attack that mixed Williams’ precision passes with a surprisingly gritty running game from Roschon Johnson. Washington, led by 25‑year‑old quarterback Jay Daniels, clawed back into contention in the third quarter, taking a 17‑16 edge after a late touchdown catch by veteran tight end Zach Ertz.
Statistically, the Bears out‑gained the Commanders 381 to 329 yards, but the yardage advantage didn’t translate into a comfortable lead. Both teams struggled in the red zone – Chicago converted just one of three trips, while Washington managed only a single scoring opportunity. Time‑of‑possession favored Washington (31:34 vs. 28:26), and the Commanders even racked up five fewer penalties. Yet the Bears’ defense forced three turnovers, a difference that ultimately decided the game.
Key Plays and Turning Points
The fourth quarter was a roller coaster. With eight minutes left, Washington led 24‑16 after a quick strike from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Chicago answered with a methodical drive that ended in a short field goal by Cairo Santos, trimming the deficit to 24‑19.
What came next feels like a script flip. With 0:06 remaining, Daniels dropped back, turned his head, and fumbled the ball at the Washington 45‑yard line. Tremaine Edmunds burst through the offensive line, forced the ball loose, and Montez Sweat swatted it up for a clean recovery. The Bears set up a 52‑yard attempt, and Santos nailed it as the clock hit zero, sending the home crowd into stunned silence.
That sequence produced a rare “walk‑off field goal” on a Monday night – a moment that will be replayed on highlight reels for weeks.
Player Performances: Stars and Surprises
Williams was the offensive catalyst, completing 19 of 26 passes for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and a single interception. His poise in the clutch was evident; the third TD came on a quick slant to DJ Moore, who also contributed a solid special‑teams tackle count. Johnson’s 108 rushing yards on 14 carries made him the first Bears back to break the 100‑yard mark this season.
On Washington’s side, Daniels threw for 252 yards but was marred by the costly fumble. He also posted one touchdown pass, a tidy strike to Terry Samuel that was later intercepted by Bears defensive back Jaquan Brisker at the Chicago 35‑yard line.
Defensively, the Bears generated three takeaways – Brisker’s interception, Edmunds’ forced fumble, and a sack by defensive lineman Robert Jones that pushed Washington out of field goal range late in the fourth. Washington’s defense, meanwhile, managed only one turnover and struggled to contain Johnson’s burst runs.
Coaching & Strategic Insights
Head coach Matt Eberflus stuck with an aggressive fourth‑down philosophy, going for it twice and converting both attempts. The decision to stay aggressive paid dividends; the second successful fourth‑down conversion set up the field goal drive that put the Bears within striking distance.
Washington’s coach Ron Rivera faced criticism for play‑calling that left Daniels vulnerable to pressure in the final minutes. The offensive line’s missed block on the fumble‑forcing play highlighted a lack of depth that may need addressing before the next matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Implications for the Season
Chicago’s win moves them to a 3‑2 record and, more importantly, injects a confidence boost ahead of their September 27 home game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. The victory also proves the Bears can close out tight games, a quality that could be the difference in a tightly contested NFC North.
Washington falls to 3‑3, slipping to second place in the NFC East. Their next test comes on October 20 at Lincoln Financial Field versus the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that could either cement a playoff push or expose deeper flaws.
Key Facts
- Final Score: Chicago Bears 25, Washington Commanders 24
- Date & Time: October 13, 2025, 11:30 PM UTC (Monday Night Football)
- Location: FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Winning Play: 52‑yard field goal by Cairo Santos after a forced fumble by Tremaine Edmunds
- Standings Impact: Bears improve to 3‑2; Commanders drop to 3‑3
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bears' win affect their playoff chances?
The victory lifts Chicago to 3‑2, keeping them in the NFC North race. Winning close games improves their tiebreaker profile and adds momentum heading into a pivotal matchup against the Packers, which could lock them into a top‑two spot.
What were the main factors behind Washington's loss?
Turnovers proved decisive – three forced by the Bears versus none for Washington. In addition, a late‑game fumble by quarterback Jay Daniels set up the walk‑off field goal. Defensive lapses on third downs also limited their ability to sustain drives.
Who stood out for the Bears on defense?
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds forced the game‑changing fumble, while defensive end Montez Sweat recovered it and kept the momentum. Defensive back Jaquan Brisker also snagged an interception that broke Washington’s momentum in the third quarter.
When is the next game for each team?
Chicago hosts the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Sunday, October 20, 2025. Washington travels to Philadelphia to face the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field the same day.
Which officials oversaw the game?
The crew was led by referee Alex Moore, with down judge Dana McKenzie, back judge Terrence Miles, field judge Mearl Robinson, side judge Anthony Jeffries, umpire Terry Killens Jr., and line judge Thomas Eaton.
