Commanders Versus Bears Game Breakdown

Tyler Stearns |

The Commanders versus Bears game was amazing despite the low score. If this weren't the battle of two rookies, it would have been an average afternoon slate matchup between two solid teams. But since the battle was between the first and second overall pick, the hype was real before the game. The Commanders won, but it was not necessarily in the most sustainable fashion. Let's get into the breakdown.

Caleb Williams, Via Newsweek

The Bears' defense looked susceptible to big plays early in the game. Daniels found McLaurin for a 50+ yard bomb in the first quarter, and Daniels connected on some other deep passes throughout the first half. But the Bears' red zone defense was able to handle the Commanders' firepower. They forced four field goals early, which allowed the Bears to stay in it.

But the Bears weren't doing their defense service on the offensive side of the ball. Once again, the Bears pass protection was poor, and Caleb Williams had to escape pressure nearly every play. They weren't running short routes and screens for Williams to find his groove, and the running game wasn't working either. They punted every drive in the first half and really, only until late in the third quarter did their offense start to heat up. The offense caught fire when D'Andre Swift broke a 50-yard run down the left sideline to put the Bears within five. On the next drive, after a stop from the defense, they made it to the one, only to run a play to the lineman who fumbled at the goal line. The Commanders drove downfield and had a chance to go up eight with a field goal, but missed after the Bears' special teams blocked it. Caleb Williams led a spectacular late fourth-quarter drive and capped it off with a touchdown and an extra point. But Jayden Daniels came back, made an insane deep throw, and it tipped and fell into Noah Brown's hands.

Neither team didn't deserve to win. Both had chances, and both missed chances. Both played good defense, and both played some good offense. But in the end, the Commanders needed a bit of luck to put Chicago away.

Both teams are going to have good seasons. The Bears play in a hard NFC North, but if they can string a few wins from the Packers and Vikings, they may be in good shape to make a playoff push. The defense is great, but the offense is limited without a good offensive line. Nonetheless, they are a talented, well-coached team, who deserves to fight for a wild card seed. As for Washington, they are in an amazing position. They sit atop the NFC East and barring any major changes to the roster, they should be favored to win it. Daniels is spectacular and the offense is firing on all cylinders. The only issue will be the defense, and if they can consistently create pressure. They did against the Bears, though that isn't saying much. But if they can get to QBs like Mahomes, Allen, and Hurts, they will do great, but if they can't, they'll have to rely on their secondary, who has shown some weaknesses this year. Nonetheless, both franchises are set for the future.