Windy City Gridiron
Hello Chicago Bears fans! No one could have predicted the outcome of the game between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders last season, when the 4-2 Bears were on the cusp of going to 5-2, and a potential playoff berth, as Caleb Williams led a last-minute Bears touchdown drive to go ahead of the Commanders with only seconds to go. What would follow would define the coaching tenure of Matt Eberflus, doom the Bears’ season in 2024, and ultimately lead to a new coaching regime, led by Ben Johnson. Tyrique Stevenson’s ill-fated taunting led to the “Fail Mary,” and both propelled the Commanders forward into an NFC championship appearance while at the same time producing an utter collapse of the Chicago Bears. It was the most decisive early season game, in terms of the fate of the two teams, as any we have seen in a decade.
And now, the rematch.
Our WCG writers are split in making their predictions for this Monday night’s game. Some of us see a redemption arc in the making – both for Tyrique Stevenson and the Chicago Bears. Others see a tight game, much like the game from last season, that will ultimately go the way of the Commanders. See below for which of our writers sees a ball half-inflated, or a ball half-deflated, for this Monday night rematch between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders:
Gooch: 34-24, Bears. All the stats say that Washington will be able to run all over the Bears. Coming out of the bye, Dennis Allen’s defense rallies and limits the Commander run game to 2.5 yards per carry. They box in Daniels, who does throw for a TD and runs for one. Caleb continues the Rome connection. Sweat gets sack #2. Booker matches him with two sacks. And my riskiest prediction, coming off a week where I correctly predicted a Tyrique Stevenson pick – this week I predict he picks Daniels for six and is a major factor in the difference of the game.
Lester: Ugh… Bears struggle vs the run, and the Commanders slow the game down and chew up the clock. Caleb Williams and the Chicago offense has some decent moments, but they press a bit trying to catch up. Washington wins 24 to 17, and I really hope I’m wrong, because a win here would really put this franchise on track and put the NFC on notice that Ben Johnson’s team is on the upswing.
Bryan Orenchuk: Bears 27-24. RoJo and Caleb with a rushing TD and Loveland with his first career TD catch. Spidey returns and gets a sack fumble recovered by Sweat, but the Bears struggle to stop the run again and it almost bites them. Again.
Mongo Peanut: I really want to believe that the Bears beat the Commanders, but it’s hard for me to see the Bears winning a primetime game in D.C. after a bye after they came out flat in the same scenario...
