Jake Moody's 38‑yard Kick Beats Commanders, Bears Edge 20‑19
When Jake Moody, kicker of Chicago Bears lined up for a 38‑yard attempt with the clock winding down, the wet grass at Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland seemed more like a slip‑n‑slide than a football field. The ball swished through the uprights at 10:36 PM UTC on Monday, October 14, 2025, giving the Bears a 20‑19 victory over the Washington Commanders in a game that felt more like a weather‑warrior contest than a routine Monday night showdown.
Game Overview
The Bears entered the week 6 matchup with a 2‑2 record, while the Commanders were sitting at 3‑2. Rain had been forecast all day, but the downpour that hit just before kickoff turned the grass into a slick canvas for both sides. Early on, the Bears’ offense, led by Caleb Williams, quarterback, tried to establish the run, yet every snap felt like a gamble. Meanwhile, the Commanders leaned on Jayden Daniels, quarterback to thread passes through the rain‑slick air. The first quarter ended 3‑3 after each team managed a field goal.
Key Offensive Plays
Williams connected with Rome Odunze, the Bears’ emerging deep threat, on a 22‑yard strike that set up a rushing touchdown. After a brilliant lead block by Andre Swift, Williams scrambled for a 5‑yard rush and plunged into the end zone, putting Chicago ahead 10‑3.
Washington answered with a grind of 12 yards, but a fumble on a wet snap—Daniels complained later that the ball “didn’t want to stay in my hands”—handed the Bears another chance. Moody’s second field goal, a 48‑yard effort, stretched the lead to 13‑6 just before halftime.
Defensive Highlights
Chicago’s secondary shone when safety Jaquan Brisker read a pass from Daniels intended for Deebo Samuel and intercepted it at the Commanders’ 45‑yard line. Brisker sprinted 33 yards for a turnover, delivering the ball deep into Washington territory and setting up a short drive that ended with a 2‑point conversion.
Later in the third quarter, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds chased Daniels down after a busted snap, forcing a loss of three yards that stalled a promising drive. The Bears’ defense, according to broadcast analysts, generated roughly ten points off turnovers—a margin that proved decisive in a game decided by a single point.
Special Teams Under the Lights
Moody’s heroics weren’t the only story on the kicking unit. The holder, 28‑year‑old Australian punter Tory Taylor, kept the snaps low and steady despite the slick mud. Even on the final play, when the snap rose “a bit high,” Taylor’s quick hands allowed Moody to make a clean kick.
Moody’s four field goals—28, 32, 48, and the 38‑yard winner—accounted for 12 of Chicago’s 20 points. It was his first game action after being signed from the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad earlier in the week, turning a player once labeled “wildly inconsistent” into the night’s saviour.
Implications for the Season
With the win, the Bears improve to 3‑2, nudging them back into the NFC North race. The victory also silences early‑season critics who doubted the team’s running game against a stout Commanders front. CBS Sports analysts Bryant McFadden and Emory Hunt highlighted that the Bears’ ground attack—led by Swift and third‑year back Roschon Merritt, who averaged 3.6 yards per carry—defied pre‑game predictions of a “run‑the‑ball‑and‑see‑what‑happens” scenario.
For Washington, the loss drops them to 3‑3. Daniels’ struggle with the wet ball raises questions about the Commanders’ contingency plans when conditions turn sour. Their next game will test whether they can adjust their snap routine and rely more on short, high‑percentage throws.
Historical Context
Monday night games in rain are a beloved chapter of NFL lore—think the 1995 “Rain Bowl” between the Steelers and Bengals. The 2025 Bears‑Commanders clash joins that lineage, reminding fans that weather can be the ultimate equalizer. It also marks the first time in franchise history that a Bears kicker has won a game with a sub‑40‑yard field goal in the final 30 seconds under such slippery circumstances.
What’s Next
Chicago travels to MetLife Stadium for Week 7 against the New York Giants, where they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling. Washington, meanwhile, heads back home to FedExField to face the Philadelphia Eagles, hoping to rebound before the mid‑season stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the rain affect the Bears' offensive strategy?
The slick surface forced the Bears to shorten their passing routes and rely on quick, high‑percentage throws. Williams leaned on short passes to Odunze and used Swift’s lead block for a scramble, while the ground game focused on inside runs that reduced the need for precise snaps.
What role did Jake Moody play after joining the Bears?
Moody, signed just days before the game, became the decisive factor by converting four field goals, including the 38‑yard winning kick. His reliability under pressure turned a potentially disastrous snap into a game‑changing score.
Why did the Commanders' offense struggle?
Daniels repeatedly fumbled wet snaps, and the slippery ball made timing between center and receiver erratic. Washington’s inability to secure clean exchanges limited their play‑calling, forcing them into low‑percentage throws that the Bears’ defense capitalized on.
What does this win mean for the Bears' NFC North hopes?
Moving to 3‑2 puts Chicago back in the race for the division lead, giving them a cushion over Detroit and Minnesota. The victory also boosts team morale and validates the coaching staff’s adjustments in wet‑weather play.
How did the defensive turnovers impact the final score?
Bears’ defense generated roughly ten points off turnovers, including Brisker’s interception and Edmunds’ forced loss. Those points created a buffer that made Moody’s game‑winning field goal possible, turning a close contest into a one‑point win.
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