Bears report card: Team grades in NFL Week 6 win over Commanders
In the crucible of a prime-time Monday night showdown, the Chicago Bears authored a statement victory that was less about raw talent and more about a burgeoning collective will, a 25-24 road triumph over the Washington Commanders that felt like a franchise turning a corner in real-time. This wasn't the chaotic, mistake-prone Bears of recent memory; this was a team operating with a newfound poise, a unit learning to thrive under the bright lights and suffocating pressure of a fourth-quarter knife fight.The final drive was a masterclass in complementary football, a sequence that would have been unthinkable for the 2024 iteration of this squad. The defense, maligned for weeks, came up with a critical takeaway to snatch possession back.The offense, with the game on the line, efficiently maneuvered into field-goal range, putting the ball in the hands of their new kicker. And Jake Moody, a man cast aside by the San Francisco 49ers just weeks prior, delivered the exclamation point with a cold-blooded field goal as the clock hit zeroes, a moment of redemption that echoed through the stadium and solidified a three-game winning streak that is suddenly making the rest of the NFC take notice.Safety Jaquan Brisker’s post-game assertion that last year's team would have found a way to lose this game wasn't just locker-room bravado; it was a stark and accurate assessment of a cultural shift happening in Lake Forest. Delving into the specifics, the rushing offense was nothing short of a revelation, earning a definitive A grade.Head coach and offensive play-caller Ben Johnson took the team's early-season inefficiency on the ground as a personal challenge, using the bye week as a laboratory to diagnose and dismantle the issues. The result was a surgical game plan designed to unleash D’Andre Swift into open space, repeatedly getting him to the edge where he operated like a runaway train, averaging a staggering 7.7 yards per carry. The offensive line, often a question mark, blocked with a ferocity and cohesion that paved the way for Swift’s 175 total yards and a touchdown, a performance that evoked comparisons to the Bears' storied history of ground-and-pound football, albeit with a modern, explosive twist.While every Sunday won't yield such gaudy numbers, the demonstration proved that with this level of scheming and talent, sustainable rushing efficiency is not just a hope but a tangible expectation. The passing offense, graded a solid B, was a study in efficient, if unspectacular, quarterback play.Caleb Williams managed the game with the composure of a veteran, amassing 252 yards and a touchdown while crucially avoiding the back-breaking turnovers that have plagued young signal-callers. His most significant throw was a simple, high-percentage pass to the flat that Swift transformed into a breathtaking 55-yard touchdown, a testament to the playmaker's ability but also to Johnson's savvy in putting his players in positions to succeed.The involvement of rookie Luther Burden was a positive sign, though the Commanders' secondary effectively clamped down on the deep ball and made life difficult for Rome Odunze. In the grand calculus of a win, Williams' ability to make the necessary plays in critical moments and, most importantly, keep the ball out of harm's way, was a winning formula, even if the highlight reel wasn't overflowing.Defensively, the turnaround was particularly striking. The rushing defense, which had been gashed for a humiliating 240 yards by the Las Vegas Raiders just two weeks prior, elevated its play to a B-plus level against a Commanders attack that entered the game as the league's most potent.Washington was held to a respectable 4. 0 yards per carry, with a significant portion of that coming on ad-lib scrambles from the dynamic Jayden Daniels.More importantly, this unit created game-changing plays, forcing two fumbles that the offense converted into 10 points, a direct correlation between defensive disruption and points on the board that has been absent for far too long. The passing defense earned a B-minus, a grade buoyed by a moment of high football IQ from Jaquan Brisker, whose interception while playing in a zone coverage led to a field goal.While the sack total remained modest, the defensive front consistently flushed Daniels from his comfort zone in the pocket, forcing him to work for every yard. There were concerning lapses, however, particularly in covering tight end Zach Ertz, and the unit benefited from the absence of Washington's top receiver, Terry McLaurin.The return of Kyler Gordon also introduced some uncharacteristic blown coverages, but these are viewed as growing pains for a secondary reintegrating a key piece, issues that should be ironed out with more reps. Special teams, outside of one blocked field goal due to pressure up the middle, were nearly flawless, warranting an A.Coordinator Richard Hightower will dissect that one breakdown, but the story was Jake Moody. Stepping in for the injured Cairo Santos, Moody connected on four of five field goal attempts, culminating in the game-winner, a moment of immense pressure that he handled with the steely nerves of a seasoned veteran, providing a massive boost of confidence to the entire organization.Ultimately, the coaching staff deserves an A for their comprehensive game plan and for fostering this burgeoning belief. Johnson called a brilliant, balanced offensive game, while defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was aggressive and creative with his blitz packages and simulations.The most significant takeaway from this three-game streak, however, is the palpable buy-in from the players. They are believing in the schemes, they are trusting the process, and they are evolving into a tough, resilient team that now possesses the confidence that they will find a way to win, regardless of the circumstances. That intangible quality, that cultural foundation, is the direct product of leadership, and for the first time in a long time, the Chicago Bears look like a team built not just on hope, but on a concrete and rapidly improving identity.
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Jamie Lowe123k2 days ago
idk feels like they're getting a bit ahead of themselves it's just one win and the commanders aren't exactly elite
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Chloe Miller123k2 days ago
love the win but idk if we need to call it a 'cultural shift' after one close game against a team missing its best receiver tbh
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