Carson Wentz perseveres but Commanders unlikely to quiet critics with lackluster win over Bears
In a low-scoring game, the Washington Commanders prevailed against the Chicago Bears 12-7 on Thursday night. The Commanders improve to 2-4 on the season while the Bears also go to 2-4.
The Bears and Commanders entered halftime of their “Thursday Night Football” game with zero touchdowns scored. It marked six consecutive quarters played on “Thursday Night Football” without a touchdown scored by either team; four quarters in the Indianapolis Colts versus Denver Broncos game on Oct. 6 and two in the Bears and Commanders contest.
However, the drought was ended midway through Thursday’s third quarter on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Justin Fields to Dante Pettis that put Chicago ahead 7-3. In all, the touchdown-less streak on “Thursday Night Football” spanned three games, parts of eight quarters, and more than 100 minutes of game time.
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The Commanders recorded two takeaways against the Bears on Thursday. Coming into the game, the Commanders had one through five games, the fewest in the NFL. The most critical turnover came in the fourth quarter when Bears wide receiver and return specialist Velus Jones Jr. fumbled the punt with 8:06 remaining. The Commanders recovered at the Bears’ six-yard line. Commanders running back Brian Robinson scored on the ensuing possession — his first career touchdown — giving the Commanders the lead.
Brian Robinson rushes for his first career touchdown 💪
🎥 @Commanders pic.twitter.com/vpDv9QNvxS
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 14, 2022
Fields and the Bears had a chance to win the game with a touchdown with less than a minute to go. But on fourth and goal, Bears receiver Darnell Mooney caught the pass but was inches short of the goal line. Washington regained possession and won the game.
The Bears were thiiiiiiis close to taking the lead in the final seconds.
Instead, it’s a turnover on downs and the Commanders take the Thursday Night game in Chicago.
🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/EWXYE1we6u
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 14, 2022
Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz went 12 for 22 on Thursday, throwing 99 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passer rating was 66.3.
Commanders writer Ben Standig and Bears writers Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns share their thoughts on Washington’s victory over Chicago:
Evaluating Wentz’s performance
Ben Standig, Commanders writer: Having endured bashing in recent seasons following high-profile exits from Philadelphia and Indianapolis, Wentz has become adept at blocking out the noise. That seemed like a needed skill seeing as he played Thursday night and couldn’t crack 100 passing yards due to a combination of misfires, receiver drops and likely that ailing shoulder. Oh, he also banged his hand on a throw.
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And yet Wentz persevered and made his best play late in Thursday’s win. The play won’t show in the conventional stats. Those watching the fourth quarter took notice.
Wentz took on and blocked Bears linebacker Roquan Smith inside Chicago’s five-yard line on Washington’s lone touchdown drive. Rookie running back Robinson gained five yards on the play and then found the end zone from the 1-yard line on the next play for the go-ahead score.
“There’s a toughness about him I don’t think a lot of people understand,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said of Wentz.
Nothing elegant about the play or, frankly, any aspect of the quarterback’s performance. Same for an offense that finished with 214 total yards and converted only 2 of 11 on third down. The showing won’t quiet critics, but a team that entered with a four-game losing streak won’t care what the outsiders say. A win is a win and this group absolutely needed one.
How the game turned in the Commanders’ favor
Kevin Fishbain, Bears writer: The entire game turned on Jones Jr.’s muffed punt, his second one in three games. With a four-point lead, the Bears were in control and had just stopped the Commanders. Washington scored, and the Bears’ offense couldn’t muster any more points, even though they got into Washington territory twice, ending the game at the one-inch line.
It’s a game that highlighted the Bears’ deficiencies, from game management to quarterback play to not having enough answers on offense, wasting a defensive performance that held the Commanders to six points before the muffed punt.
Evaluating Fields’ performance
Adam Jahns, Bears writer: On a short week, Fields failed to build off what he did well against the Vikings on Sunday. His performance against the Commanders will be remembered for how close the Bears seem to be but also for how far they really are as a team. They went 0-for-3 in the red zone against Washington.
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Fields threw an interception off a defensive tackle’s helmet, missed a wide-open tight end Ryan Griffin and then the Bears offense failed to get in from the Washington 4 on four consecutive plays in the final minute. It’s a brutal way to lose. But the Bears do find new ways to do it.
(Photo: Matt Marton / USA Today)
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