Jake Moody’s game-winning kick lifts the Bears above the leaders in season turnaround

LANDOVER, Md. — It wasn’t quite the same drama as the Hail Mary that decided these teams’ game a year ago, but Caleb Williams and the Bears outscored Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in the final score of play on Monday night, as Chicago beat Washington 25-24 on Jake Moody’s 38-yard field goal.

The Bears (3-2), following their bye, extended their winning streak to three games under first-year coach Ben Johnson.

Washington (3-3) continued its pattern of alternating wins and losses in 2025 and failed to have a chance to tie with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East.

Williams finished 17-for-29 for 252 yards and one touchdown, then led a nine-play, 36-yard shutout drive for Moody’s fourth field goal on a rainy night.

Moody was signed to the practice squad because Cairo Santos was out with a quadriceps injury, and he kicked field goals of 47 and 48 yards in the first quarter and 41 in the third quarter. But his 48-yard attempt on the opening play of the fourth quarter was blocked.

It was Modi Cut by San Francisco 49ers — who drafted him in the third round in 2023 — in September of this year after two missed attempts in Week 1.

Jayden Daniels threw his first interception of the season and finished 19-for-16 for 211 yards and three TD throws.

It was 50 weeks ago when Washington defeated Chicago 18-15 on a final 52-yard pass from Daniels to Noah Brown.

Known as “Hail Maryland” around these parts and as “Fail Mary” among Bears fans — the play sent Washington on a path that led to the conference title game, while starting a 10-game losing streak for Chicago.