The Chicago Bears finally snapped their 14-game losing streak with a dominant performance against the Washington Commanders on Thursday night at FedExField. The Bears won 40-20, thanks to a career-high 230 yards and three touchdowns from receiver DJ Moore, who connected with quarterback Justin Fields on several big plays.
Fields and Moore Shine in First Half
The Bears wasted no time in establishing their offensive rhythm, scoring on their first five possessions of the game. Fields, who completed 15 of 29 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns, showed his accuracy and mobility throughout the game. He also ran for 57 yards on 11 carries, keeping the Commanders’ defense off balance.
Fields and Moore had a chemistry that was hard to stop, as they hooked up for two touchdowns in the first quarter. The first one came on a 20-yard pass on third-and-14, capping off a 75-yard drive that started with a 58-yard bomb from Fields to Moore. The second one was an 11-yard toss on third-and-6, where Moore leaped over a defender in the corner of the end zone.
The Bears also got contributions from other players, such as running back Khalil Herbert, who had a 34-yard run that set up a field goal by Cairo Santos. Tight end Cole Kmet also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Fields with 24 seconds left in the first half, giving the Bears a commanding 27-3 lead.
Commanders Rally in Second Half, But Fall Short
The Commanders did not give up easily, as they scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to make it a 10-point game. Quarterback Sam Howell, who threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, led the comeback effort with some help from his receivers and running backs.
Howell threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas on the opening drive of the third quarter, and then ran in the two-point conversion. He also found wideout Terry McLaurin for a 19-yard score in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 30-20.
However, the Bears’ defense stepped up when it mattered most, forcing two turnovers and stopping the Commanders on fourth down twice. Cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. intercepted Howell in the second quarter, setting up Kmet’s touchdown. Linebacker Roquan Smith also picked off Howell in the fourth quarter, sealing the win for the Bears.
Moore put the icing on the cake with his third touchdown of the game, a 56-yard catch-and-run that showcased his speed and elusiveness. He finished with eight receptions on nine targets, averaging an impressive 28.8 yards per catch.
Bears Celebrate First Win Under New Coach
The Bears celebrated their first win under new head coach Matt Nagy, who replaced Matt LaFleur after he left for Green Bay in the offseason. Nagy praised his team’s resilience and execution after the game, saying that they played with passion and energy.
He also gave credit to Fields and Moore for their outstanding performance, saying that they have a special connection that can make big plays happen. He said that he hopes to build on this win and improve as the season goes on.
The Bears improved to 1-4 with the win, while the Commanders fell to 2-3. The Bears will face the Detroit Lions next week at home, while the Commanders will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.
