On Sunday October 27 2024, the red hot Washington Commanders were set to battle the warm Chicago Bears. This matchup has its significance to it, as it was the battle between the number one overall draft pick and the number two overall draft pick. Quarterback Caleb Williams went first in the draft to the Bears while Quarterback Jayden Daniels was taken second to the Washington Commanders.
NFL rookie of the year favorite Jayden Daniels had a weak 9-0 lead at the half for Washington. Only getting them down far enough to where Kicker, Austin Seibert, nailed three field goals. Daniels only had one really big play in the half, completing a deep 61 yard pass to star Wide Receiver, Terry McLaurin. The Bears were spinning in mud at halftime and struggled to move. Caleb Williams had only 33 yards passing and was 3-8 on completions, totaling zero points on the scoreboard. Defense was playing a big part in this game.
In the third quarter, Commanders’ Austin Seibert, added another three to the score making it 12-0 Commanders. Soon enough, Bears Running Back, D’Andre Swift, broke loose for a 56 yard touchdown, while weaving through defenders. That finished off the third with a 7-12 score.
In the fourth quarter, the Bears were in the driver’s seat, going down the field to take the lead. Williams threw a dime over the left sideline to standout Wide Receiver D.J. Moore, who made the grab. Plays later, they were at the goal line and tried to punch it in with an Offensive Lineman and the ball found itself free, recovered by Commanders Defensive Tackle, Jer’Zhan Newton. A spoiled chance by the Bears. However, they got the ball back again way late in the fourth. All the way down to the goal line where backup Running Back Roschon Johnson punched it in from one yard out. Going for a two-point conversion, Caleb Williams completed the shovel pass to Cole Kmet for the score of two points. It was then 15-12 Commanders, giving up 15 unanswered.
The Commanders had only 27 seconds to drive nearly full field. With one timeout remaining, Daniels struck a pass to Tight End Zach Ertz and Washington used the final timeout with 5 seconds left. The Bears went into full prevent mode on defense and Jayden Daniels was able to connect on a 10 yard out route to McLaurin with nobody around him. That ultimately put Washington into Hail Mary range. With 2 seconds left on their own 48 yard line, Daniels snapped the ball and was forced to roll out right. He avoided a sack, sprinted backward and then went to his left, stepping into his throw back at the 35. Hanging in the air and suddenly falling into the crowd of black Commanders jerseys and white Bears jerseys, it was tipped and caught! Noah Brown! He snuck in behind all the defenders as the ball was tipped backwards mistakenly by the Bears defensive secondary.
Commentator Jim Nantz shouted “It’s a miracle!”, “It’s Noah Brown!” The clock was at triple zero’s and the Commanders had won 18-15.
Jayden Daniels once again took the internet by storm. He seems to be the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. The Bears, however, have an issue to address, relating to the last play resulting in the Hail Mary touchdown. 2nd year Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was seen taunting the Commanders sideline and crown before the Hail Mary play. He knew the game was not over and acted as if he was confident the Hail Mary wouldn’t be successful. Karma reached him fast though. Seconds after the taunting, when the ball was in the air, Stevenson was the one who tipped the ball up when it fell into Noah Brown’s hands for the touchdown. The video was released on the internet fast and Stevenson was laughed at and went viral for his instant karma moment. Hours later Stevenson released his apology via Twitter stating, “To Chicago and teammates my apologies for lack of awareness and focus …. The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock. Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen.”
Ultimately, what a game between the two top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Commanders with the win at home and shift their record to 6-2, while the Bears on the road, fall to 4-3.
