The Chicago Bears won their first game in almost a full calendar year, snapping a 14-game losing streak by defeating the Washington Commanders, 40-20, on Thursday Night Football.
The Bears jumped on Washington early, opening up a 17-0 lead on Washington. The Commanders didn’t get a first down until the second quarter.
Chicago wide receiver D.J. Moore torched Washington’s secondary for eight receptions, 230 yards and three touchdowns. Moore victimized Kendall Fuller and Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes was later benched after another tough performance from the first-round pick.
Washington quarterback Sam Howell finally had something going late in the first half but just missed a wide-open Dyami Brown on what would’ve been an easy touchdown. The Commanders kicked a field goal. Then, on another possession, Howell was picked off in Washington territory. Bears QB Justin Fields later found tight end Cole Kmet for a touchdown to make it 27-3 at halftime.
Howell led the Commanders on a quick scoring drive to kick off the second half, finding tight end Logan Thomas for a touchdown. Howell converted the two-point conversion.
After a defensive stand, Howell had the Commanders moving toward midfield, but Thomas, fighting for extra yardage, fumbled, ending all positive momentum.
Washington’s defense forced another punt, which led Howell to march the Commanders back down the field. After Howell broke free from a sack to make it fourth-and-2, Rivera decided to kick the field goal rather than go for it. The Commanders made the field goal to cut the lead to 27-14.
The Bears answered with a field goal of their own, making it 30-14. Howell led another scoring drive, finding Curtis Samuel for a touchdown, but Washington missed the two-point conversion.
That’s where it ended for the Commanders.
Moore scored his final touchdown when Kendall Fuller gambled for an interception, leaving no Washington defender to bring him down.
Howell completed 37 of 51 passes for 388 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also led the Commanders with 19 rushing yards.
Washington managed just 29 rushing yards.
The Commanders are back in action in Week 6 in Atlanta against the Falcons.