Northwest Stadium hosted one of the most historic and exciting games in Washington franchise history on Oct. 27, when the Washington Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears 18-15 in a Hail Mary victory.
Sunday’s game was a highly-anticipated matchup, with rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams of the Bears, a DMV native and the 2024 NFL first overall draft pick, and Jayden Daniels of the Commanders, the second pick. While the close game looked like the Bears would leave Landover, Maryland, victorious, a long-distance throw by Daniels in the last seconds of the game led to a Hail Mary touchdown by wide receiver Noah Brown.
The bold heroics of Daniels were displayed after the Bears took the lead in the game for the first time in the fourth quarter. The Bears had a triumphant touchdown run by running back Roschon Johnson after a pass interference penalty that put the ball on the 1-yard line.
There were only 19 seconds left on the clock after the Commanders received the kickoff return on the 24-yard line. After three completions, Daniels added the best play of his short career that has made him the favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year.
Daniels scrambled around for nearly 12 seconds with no time left on the clock, before hauling the ball downfield from the Washington 35-yard line. The pass tipped off the hands of Chicago cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who was short of the goal line, and into the open arms of Brown for a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown.
Northwest Stadium was sent into a complete uproar with players, coaches, and fans jumping for joy after the amazing play.
“We’re blessed to have [no. 5] (Daniels) leading this team. The things he can do are special–just even that last play,” said Brown. “Keeping his composure, fighting like hell to get the ball off and throwing a hell of a ball. I wouldn’t want to play with any other quarterback. I’m glad to have him.”
Commanders guard Sam Cosmi said the Hail Mary touchdown between Daniels and Brown was “like a movie.”
In last week’s victorious game against the Carolina Panthers, Daniels was ruled out in the first quarter due to a rib injury, but hours before kickoff on Oct. 27 he was approved for active status, and truly showed the strength he possesses.
“We knew he had it in him,” said running back Brian Robinson Jr. “He just showed us today what he’s capable of and how tough he is.”
When he threw that pass, the rookie quarterback said he didn’t even see the touchdown happen.
“I just heard people screaming and our sideline rushing the field,” Daniels explained. “That’s how I knew.”
The Importance of the Hail Mary
A successful Hail Mary attempt to win an NFL game is rare.
Daniels’ Hail Mary to Brown was the first on Sunday since 2020, when Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray executed a successful 43-yard Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins.
Daniels’ Hail Mary to Brown at 52 yards was the second-longest of many that stands right behind the Rodgers-to-Rodgers “Miracle In Motown” play in 2015 against the Detroit Lions.
In Commanders franchise history this was the fifth Hail Mary touchdown that has been successful since 2006.
“That was wild,” said Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. “That was so much fun. And what I love about the team is that we’re never out the fight.”
The three-game win streak of the Chicago Bears came to a close with only 172 yards executed before the fourth quarter. The offense didn’t really gain any momentum until late in the third quarter when running back D’Andre Swift ran for a 56-yard touchdown.
In the battle of the rookie quarterbacks, Jayden Daniels finished with 326 passing yards, running for 55 yards. Williams finished with 131 passing yards, completing four of 16 passes finishing 10-of-24.
The Washington Commanders advance 6-2 standing at No.1 in the NFC East, while the Chicago Bears have now fallen to 4-3 standing in last place in the NFC North.
The Washington Commanders will travel for a division matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.
