Jayden Daniels' Stunning Last-Second Hail Mary Seals Commanders Victory Over Bears

Commanders Defeat Bears in Thrilling Hail Mary Finish by Jayden Daniels

The Unbelievable Play

With the Commanders trailing 15-12 and mere seconds remaining, Daniels took the snap at his own 35-yard line. Scrambling to avoid defenders, he launched a desperate pass toward the end zone. The ball was deflected just short of the goal line but fell perfectly into the hands of Noah Brown, who was standing alone in the end zone, sealing the win.

This remarkable play marked only the fifth go-ahead Hail Mary touchdown in the final 10 seconds of a game since ESPN began tracking such plays in 2006. At 52 yards, this Hail Mary ranks as the second-longest, behind the famous "Miracle in Motown" play by Aaron Rodgers in 2015.

Late-Game Drama

The Chicago Bears had taken their first lead of the game with just 23 seconds left, thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Roschon Johnson following a pass interference penalty against Washington. The Bears' late score put them ahead 15-12, capping off a fierce comeback effort after falling behind 12-0 earlier in the game. However, the Bears’ hopes of extending their three-game winning streak were dashed by the Daniels-to-Brown miracle.

Historic Moment

This game was one for the history books, as it was the first since 1977 where both teams scored go-ahead touchdowns in the final 30 seconds of regulation. It was an intense and wild finish that will be remembered for years to come.

Daniels' Impressive Performance

Despite playing through a rib injury, Jayden Daniels delivered an impressive performance, completing 21 of 38 passes for 326 yards and rushing for another 52. His resilience paid off in the final moments, allowing the Commanders to improve to 6-2 on the season.

Rookie Showdown

This game was also a highly anticipated matchup between two top rookie quarterbacks – Daniels and Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick. Williams, a Washington native, struggled early but engineered a late 62-yard drive to give the Bears the lead. He finished the game 10-of-24 for 131 yards, while D'Andre Swift contributed a touchdown and 129 rushing yards. Despite Williams' efforts, it was Daniels, taken just one pick after him, who emerged victorious.

Seibert's Crucial Contributions

Kicker Austin Seibert was a key factor in keeping Washington in the game, nailing four field goals to provide the team's only points until the Hail Mary touchdown. Since joining the team after a shaky start to the season, Seibert has made a significant impact, surpassing franchise records for field goals and points through Week 8.

Looking Forward

With the thrilling victory, the Commanders cement their position as one of the top teams in the league, while the Bears, now 4-3, will look to regroup after having their winning streak snapped in such heartbreaking fashion.