LANDOVER, Md. — In a stunning finish, Jayden Daniels launched a 52-yard Hail Mary pass to Noah Brown as time expired, sealing an 18-15 victory for the Washington Commanders against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Daniels showcased his agility, scrambling for several seconds before making the throw from the Commanders’ 35-yard line. The ball was deflected just shy of the goal line and fell perfectly into the waiting hands of Brown, who was unmarked in the end zone.
The Bears had taken a brief lead with only 23 seconds remaining in the game, thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Roschon Johnson. This came after a pass interference penalty on the Commanders (6-2) allowed Chicago (4-3) to score. The victory for Washington ended the Bears’ three-game winning streak after they had initially trailed 12-0, culminating in the dramatic last play that sent both players and fans into an uproar.
Despite playing with a rib injury that cast doubt on his availability until just hours before the game, Daniels completed 21 of 38 passes, throwing for 326 yards and running for an additional 52 yards. This game marked the sixth NFL match-up of rookie quarterbacks selected as the top two picks in the draft, and it was Daniels, chosen right after Williams, who emerged victorious.
Although the game shifted momentum late in favor of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, a local product, he managed to lead a 62-yard scoring drive late in the game after struggling initially by completing only four out of his first 16 attempts. Williams concluded the game having thrown for 131 yards on 10 completions out of 24 attempts, while D’Andre Swift contributed with a rushing touchdown during his 129-yard performance.
In a game marked by the ups and downs of both rookie quarterbacks, it was ultimately Daniels who clinched the win for the Commanders.
On the scoring front, Austin Seibert was key for Washington, kicking four field goals for the team’s only points until the Hail Mary. Since being signed after an earlier kicking mishap in the season opener, Seibert’s performance has proven invaluable. He has broken the franchise record for most field goals made and most points scored through Week 8, previously held by Mark Moseley during his All-Pro season in 1982.
In terms of injuries, the Bears faced challenges as left tackle Braxton Jones was lost to a knee injury in the first half, and guards Teven Jenkins and Bill Murray exited in the fourth quarter due to knee and chest issues, respectively. The Commanders also dealt with injuries; left tackle Cornelius Lucas left the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury, and rookie Brandon Coleman, who had been sharing snaps, was inactive due to a concussion.
Looking ahead, the Bears will travel to Arizona next Sunday, while the Commanders are set to visit the New York Giants on the same day.