The Chicago Bears have dramatically shifted their narrative, transforming from a team haunted by past collapses into a surging force with three consecutive wins, culminating in a walk-off victory over the Washington Commanders that erased memories of last season’s devastating loss.
The Chicago Bears are building genuine momentum, securing their third straight win with a thrilling 25-24 walk-off victory against the Washington Commanders on Monday night. This dramatic win was sealed by a 38-yard field goal from kicker Jake Moody as time expired, marking a profound change of fortune for a team that, just weeks ago, seemed to be reliving its darkest days.
A New Chapter: Erasing Past Demons
This win against Washington is more than just another notch in the win column; it’s a direct repudiation of last season’s “Fail Mary” catastrophe that sent the Bears into a historic spiral. In 2024, Chicago was 4-2 before a devastating loss to the Commanders on a desperation pass from Jayden Daniels to Noah Brown. Questionable coaching decisions by former coach Matt Eberflus and critical mistakes by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on the final play led to a 10-game skid and Eberflus’s eventual firing. Fans will recall the heartbreak, as that loss effectively ended their season and cast a long shadow over the rookie year of quarterback Caleb Williams, as detailed by SportsCasting.
Fast forward to now, and the narrative has completely flipped. With Caleb Williams at the helm, the team is building momentum and showing resilience. As coach Ben Johnson stated, “When it’s ugly, we’re still finding a way to win, and we’re developing that belief.” This win specifically felt like payback for the previous season’s agony, providing a fresh start for the franchise.
The Engine of Momentum: What’s Working for Chicago
The Bears’ recent success isn’t by accident; it’s a testament to key improvements and clutch performances across the board. Several factors are propelling this newfound momentum:
- Takeaways: The defense has been opportunistic, forcing 11 turnovers in the past three games, including three against Washington—all of which directly led to points. Jaquan Brisker intercepted Jayden Daniels at the 2-yard line, and Montez Sweat forced a fumble, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Williams. The most crucial takeaway was Nahshon Wright’s recovery of a botched handoff late in the game, directly leading to the winning drive.
- D’Andre Swift’s Breakout: Running back D’Andre Swift delivered arguably his best all-around performance in two seasons with the Bears. He rushed for a season-high 108 yards on 14 attempts and caught a highlight-reel 55-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, pulling Chicago within striking distance. His explosive play was critical in the comeback.
- Caleb Williams’ Resilience: Despite early-season struggles and concerns about pass protection, Caleb Williams has shown the ability to lead game-winning drives. His growth and the team’s ability to pull out close victories, like the 25-24 wins against Las Vegas and Washington, are pivotal for the franchise’s future. More details on the Bears’ journey with Caleb Williams can be found via the Associated Press.
Areas for Refinement and Building Consistency
While the wins are encouraging, the Bears still have aspects to clean up. Penalties remain a concern, as they committed nine for 84 yards against Washington. A notable instance included left tackle Theo Benedet being flagged for an illegal formation, negating an 11-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Rome Odunze and forcing the team to settle for a field goal instead.
Despite an earlier 48-yard field goal attempt being blocked, kicker Jake Moody quickly redeemed himself with the game-winner. His journey back from being cut by San Francisco after missing two field goals in Week 1 makes his clutch performance even more significant, showcasing the resilience that is becoming a hallmark of this Bears team. The details of Moody’s clutch play are well documented by the Associated Press.
Fan Perspective: Belief Building and the Road Ahead
For a fan base that endured a rough start to the season—including blowing an 11-point lead against Minnesota and getting routed by Detroit—these three consecutive wins feel like a seismic shift. The Bears’ ability to win on the road, securing back-to-back road victories for the first time since 2020, signals a new level of mental toughness.
The team is now 3-2 and will host the NFC-worst New Orleans Saints (1-5) next. A win against the Saints would give the Bears four straight victories, a feat they haven’t achieved since the 2018 NFC North championship team closed that regular season with four consecutive wins. That 2018 squad also had a five-game run, setting a high bar for the current team.
The question on every fan’s mind, echoing coach Johnson’s sentiment, is: “Holy cow, how far can we push this thing? Let’s see how good we can really get this season.” The shift from a team prone to collapse to one that finds ways to win ugly has ignited a renewed sense of hope and belief within the Chicago Bears community. The rebuild, once fraught with “disastrous rookie year” concerns for Caleb Williams and predictions of another top-10 draft pick according to AP News coverage, now looks poised for a significant turning point.
