Bears Edge Commanders 25-24 on Monday Night Football in Landover

When Chicago Bears slipped past the Washington Commanders 25-24 on Monday night, the win felt less like a miracle and more like a hard‑earned lesson in ball security.

The showdown unfolded at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, as part of Week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season. Kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET, the game stretched into the early hours, wrapping up around 11:30 p.m. Eastern. For both sides, a single point determined whether they stayed afloat in a tight NFC race or slipped toward a mid‑season slump.

Game Overview

Chicago entered the night with a 2-2 ledger, sitting at .500, while Washington boasted a 3-2 record and the comfort of a home field advantage. The Bears, led by head coach Matt LaFleur, had already rattled off a win in Week 5, snapping an early three‑game skid. The Commanders, under Dan Quinn, were looking to restore momentum after a surprise loss the week before.

Momentum swung back and forth. The first quarter was a defensive slog, with Chicago managing just six points via a field goal and a safety‑type play. Washington stayed silent. In the second quarter, the Commanders finally found the end zone, but the Bears answered with a touchdown and a field goal to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Washington. Quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated a 10‑point surge, pushing the Commanders ahead 17-13. Yet the Bears kept the game within striking distance, adding a field goal to finish the period at 17-16.

The final stanza was a nail‑biter. Chicago’s offense, anchored by a surprisingly efficient running game, put together a nine‑point burst – two field goals and a late‑fourth‑quarter touchdown – to edge Washington 25-24. The difference? Zero turnovers for the Bears versus three costly giveaways by the Commanders.

Statistical Breakdown

• Total yards: ESPN listed 381 for Chicago and 329 for Washington; the Commanders’ official site reported 333 and 308 respectively, a discrepancy that sparked a brief stats‑war on fan forums.
• Time of possession: Washington held the ball for 31:34, Chicago for 28:26.
• Third‑down efficiency: Chicago 3‑of‑10, Washington 3‑of‑8.
• Red‑zone trips: Bears 1 TD in 3 trips; Commanders 1 TD in 1 trip.
• Penalties: Chicago 9 for 84 yards; Washington 5 for 40 yards.

The numbers tell a story of a Bears unit that capitalized on limited opportunities, while Washington squandered theirs, especially after Daniels’ interception in the fourth quarter set up the go‑ahead drive.

Key Performances

For Chicago, the unsung hero was running back J. Croskey‑Merritt. He logged 14 carries for 108 yards, breaking through tackles at the line and keeping the defense honest. His 3‑yard touchdown in the final quarter sealed the win and gave the Bears their first rushing 100‑yard effort of the season.

Wide receiver C. Moore contributed a 67‑yard reception that set up a crucial third‑down conversion, evidencing the Bears’ willingness to stretch the field despite a modest overall passing total.

Defensively, linebacker B. Wagner racked up 13 tackles, a ferocious display that helped limit Washington’s run game and forced a couple of early punts.

On the other side, Daniels shone with 211 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a single interception. His chemistry with his top receiver – whose name escaped the box score – produced two big plays, including a 50‑yard strike that ignited the third‑quarter surge.

Washington’s defense, however, was unable to force a turnover until late, and a missed field goal attempt in the final minutes left the outcome hanging on a single point.

Coaching and Tactical Notes

LaFleur’s game plan emphasized ball control and field position. By opting for short, high‑percentage passes and leaning on the ground game, Chicago kept the clock moving and avoided the pitfalls that have plagued them early in the year.

Quinn, meanwhile, tried to exploit the Bears’ secondary with deep routes, a strategy that paid off briefly but ultimately fell short when a late‑quarter interception shifted momentum.

Special teams also played a subtle yet decisive role. Chicago’s kicker, whose name remains undisclosed in the official report, converted three field goals, including a 51‑yard effort that swung the scoreboard in Chicago’s favor just before the two‑minute warning.

The officiating crew was led by referee Alex Moore. While no controversial calls dominated the post‑game chatter, a close pass interference review in the fourth quarter sparked a brief debate among analysts about the consistency of the league’s replay system.

Implications for the Rest of the Season

Chicago’s victory lifted them back to a 3-2 record and restored a sense of confidence heading into a Week 7 home game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The win also kept them within striking distance of the NFC North lead, a crucial factor as the playoffs loom closer.

Washington, now 3-3, faces a must‑win scenario when they travel to New York to take on the Giants at MetLife Stadium. The three turnovers they surrendered could prove the difference between a playoff berth and a late‑season scramble.

Both teams still have eleven weeks left, and the NFC East and North races are shaping up to be tighter than a tangled wire. For fans, the takeaway is simple: every ball matters, and a single point can rewrite a season’s narrative.