Chicago Bears (2-4) – Washington Commanders (2-4): 7-12
The defense held. The attack did the minimum. And the Commanders end a four-game winning streak.
Chicago had several match points in the last minute by going to the opposing 5 yards. But after a one-yard run from Justin Fields (14/37, 190 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) and two incomplete passes, it all came down to a fourth attempt. Darnell Mooney (7 rec, 68 yards) then picked up the leather at the edge of the end zone, but the referees felt it was too short.
A single touchdown will therefore be enough for the capital team. It is not really the result of an insane offensive rhythm. Carson Wentz (12/22, 99 yards) and his teammates gained only 214 yards throughout the evening. And they didn’t have to travel far to find the end zone.
It was on their sixth punt that returner Velus Jones released the ball, which was covered by rookie Christian Holmes 6 yards from the end zone. Back on the field after taking a bullet in the leg during a car jacking during the summer, Brian Robinson (17 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD) punctuated his beautiful story by scoring the winning touchdown . After a stoppage of the defense, Washington could have had more air without a failure by Joey Slye on a field goal from 48 yards. But Justin Fields and his team were therefore entitled to one last chance which they did not take.
Missed opportunities
Chances they didn’t take, the Bears ended up having plenty of them. With 392 yards gained despite five new sacks conceded, they mostly fished in the finish. Fields was intercepted within five yards during the first quarter. Khalil Herbert failed on a 4th attempt one yard from the end zone in the second.
Wentz showing an increasingly worrying level and mobility, Washington did not take advantage of it to take off and the score was only 3-0 in favor of the capital team at the break. Chicago even seems to finally take the game in hand at the exit of the locker room with a touchdown from Dante Pettis which gives them the advantage (7-3). Washington only returns to the foot (7-6).
It therefore took Jones’ terrible error on the punt return to give Washington the victory. A real gift for lackluster Commander attack. And that might not even have been enough if the defense hadn’t been there to narrowly save the bet on the last two possessions.
Both teams now have the same record of 2 wins for 4 losses, and it is hard to imagine that they are better.
