How To Watch: Bears vs. Commanders | Game Preview (10-13-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Photos
LANDOVER, MD— It’s rematch time! The Washington Commanders welcome back the Chicago Bears to Northwest Stadium for a sequel meeting between Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams after last year’s “hail mary walkoff” by Washington (3-2). Chicago (2-2) is coming off a bye in week five, but took a nail-biting victory in its week four matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. In which Josh Blackwell blocked a 54-yard potential game-winning field goal attempt by the Raiders with 38 seconds left. The Commanders were winners last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, where rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a breakout of 111 rushing yards, two touchdowns in the 27-10 victory.
Betting Odds
Entering the matchup, Washington is favored by 4.5 points to defeat Chicago at home.
Injury Report
Chicago
● K Cairo Santos: Thigh (Questionable)
● TE Colston Loveland: Hip (Questionable)
● DL Grady Jarrett: Knee (Out)
Washington
● WR Deebo Samuel: Heel (Questionable). Samuel has stated he’s fine
● RB Chris Rodriguez: Calf (Questionable)
● OL Sam Cosmi: Knee: (Doubtful)
● WR Noah Brown (Groin) and Terry McLaurin (Quad) will miss their third-straight contests.
How to watch the game?
Location: Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland
Start time: 8:15 p.m.
Where can I watch: ABC
What’s in store for the sequel to last year’s finish?
Many headlines heading into Monday night’s matchup are whether the Bears will avenge their defeat last year after Noah Brown hauled in a 52-yard game-winning hail mary throw in the endzone to defeat Chicago 18-15.
Chicago defensive back Tyrique Stevenson, shown in videos online taunting the Washington faithful while the play began in last year’s meeting, spoke to ESPN Chicago Bears reporter Courtney Cronin earlier in the week, talking about the infamous play, stating, “It was harsh,” Stevenson said. “It hurt my feelings. That’s the best way I can explain it. It just hurt my feelings being a football player and having one of those mistakes that will linger around. Even when my son grows up, I’ve got to explain that to him.
“It definitely hurt. But use it as fuel.”
The Bears want to turn the page and are looking to go over .500 for the first time this season.
Star quarterback Jayden Daniels put it simply when speaking to the media Wednesday, “Sh*t I mean thaT Hail Mary ain’t gona help us win a game on Monday, so what’s the point.”
The Commanders aren’t relying on results from last year to guide their play or approach heading into the meeting. I can bet that head coach Dan Quinn and his team want to win comfortably without relying on a last-second miracle type of play.
Can the Commanders’ defense continue to build off of last week’s performance?
The Commanders’ defense held the Chargers’ offense to 10 points, sacked them four times, held them to under 200 passing yards, and forced two turnovers. In the first quarter, Los Angeles’s offense was hitting on all cylinders, scoring on its first two possessions and controlling the time of possession. But the defense dominated after safety Quan Martin forced a fumble on Quentin Johnson at the beginning of the second quarter.
On Monday, pressuring Williams is key; they need to prevent him from extending plays with his feet by containing him in the pocket, setting the edges, and speeding up his processing. Wide receiver Rome Odunze is Williams’ favorite target this year and has been producing weekly. The secondary must limit the explosive plays and be on the lookout for receiver D.J Moore.
Offensively, Washington needs to continue to run the ball effectively and trust the young receivers to make plays when called upon.
Players to watch
● Chicago Caleb Williams: Williams has put together two straight weeks of good performances, which have led to two victories. Williams has the arm talent, explosiveness, and athletic ability to make any play under center. He’s thrown nine touchdowns to two interceptions, throwing for 927 passing yards and completing 62.3 % of his passes.
● Washington Jacory Croskey-Meritt: Meritt is coming off his best performance in his young NFL career, and now he is facing a run defense that ranks 31st in the league (164.5 rushing yards per game). Continuing to give him the ball has to be the plan, moving between and outside of tackles. Getting him in open space allows him to thrive using his explosive and aggressive style to gain extra yards.
History vs. Chicago Bears
I. The Commanders lead the all-time head-to-head series 28-25-1 against the Bears.
II. Both of these teams have met in the postseason seven times.
III. The Bears defeated the Commanders 73-0 in 1942, which is the worst margin-deflection loss in NFL history.
Final Take
The big difference in this matchup will come down to quarterback play. Which quarterback can make the key plays when his team needs them, whether in the red zone, on third or fourth down, or in a negative yardage situation?
