NFL Overreactions Week 6: New QBs enter MVP talk, Chiefs beat Lions
USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 6 slate.
Another incredible week of NFL action is almost in the books. But before we turn the page to Week 7, we close out Week 6 with a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.
The second kickoff is a matchup featuring quarterbacks taken with the top two picks in the 2024 draft: Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall, Bears) and Jayden Daniels (No. 2 overall, Commanders).
The second pick ended up with a historic season as a rookie. The Commanders’ star earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, completely turning the fortunes of the franchise. He became the only rookie in NFL history to post 3,500-plus passing yards and 750-plus rushing yards in a season. He also led the Commanders all the way to the NFC championship.
Meanwhile, Williams struggled as a rookie despite the sky-high expectations. Chicago went 5-12, and his head coach was fired midway through the season. One of the plays that changed the trajectory of these two young signal-callers was an improbable 52-yard Hail Mary throw as time expired, resulting in an 18-15 victory for Washington when these two teams met last season.
The Washington Commanders (3-2) and Chicago Bears (2-2) meet again tonight, and Williams will attempt to outduel Daniels in their second-ever head-to-head.
Chicago lost its first two games of the season but followed it up with back-to-back wins before entering a bye in Week 5. Williams appeared to be settling into the offense under new head coach Ben Johnson before the week off.
The Bears’ defense struggled through the first month, giving up 164.5 rushing yards per game (second-most). Washington’s rookie running back, Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, enjoyed a breakout performance in Week 5, rushing 14 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll look to take advantage of the porous Bears run defense.
The Commanders enter tonight’s game off a 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Daniels had missed the two previous games with a knee injury but led Washington to its first road win of the season upon his return. His mobility didn’t appear to be hampered by the malady as he rushed for 39 yards.
Can Caleb Williams continue to improve in his second NFL season and lead the Bears to a win or will Washington collect back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025?
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Week 6 matchup between the Commanders and Bears on Monday night below.
The Commanders appeared poised to answer the Bears’ opening scoring drive, but Daniels was intercepted for the first time of the season. The second-year quarterback was looking for Deebo Samuel in the end zone, but he underthrew him, allowing Brisker to undercut the route easily.
Brisker was able to return the pick 30 yards before Daniels helped bring him down. The Bears will start their next drive at their own 34-yard line, leading 3-0.
That acronym is a reference to the team’s founding owner, George Stanley Halas Sr. It has been incorporated into Chicago’s uniforms since 1983, following his death at age 83.
The Bears moved the ball methodically down the field on their first possession against the Commanders, but they couldn’t get past the 30-yard line. Replacement kicker Jake Moody came on to attempt a 47-yarder and drilled it amid the drizzle in Washington.
Chicago has an early 3-0 lead, but Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense will get their first chance to answer following the break.
What time does Commanders-Bears NFL game start?
The Commanders and Bears game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 13, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
What channel is Washington Commanders vs Chicago Bears on tonight?
The Washington Commanders vs Chicago Bears game will be broadcast on ABC on Monday night.
Cord-cutters can also stream the game on with Fubo, which comes with a free trial.
Watch NFL games live with Fubo (free trial)
Commanders vs Bears prediction
Chicago has a clear rest advantage tonight. The Bears are coming off an early Week 5 bye, while the Commanders have been on the road for the last two weeks, most recently all the way on the West Coast. Chicago could easily be 3-1 if they didn’t blow an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in Week 1 against Minnesota. Both rosters were bolstered with multiple offseason acquisitions, and the Bears’ offensive line has been strong thus far. The Commanders are missing a few key contributors due to injury, and Williams will outshine Daniels in another classic with the help of his whole stable of weapons: Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, and Luther Burden.
Prediction: Bears 26, Commanders 24
Commanders vs Bears live stream
Those looking to live stream the game can look to Fubo. Fubo carries ABC, as well as CBS, Fox, NBC, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you’ll get to catch NFL action all season long.
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Samuel is set to suit up for the Commanders on “Monday Night Football.” While he was listed on the team’s injury report all week with a heel injury, he was not among the inactives for Washington in Week 6.
No, there will not be a Manningcast broadcast in Week 6. Peyton and Eli Manning will return to screens in Week 8, when they broadcast the Washington Commanders at the Kansas City Chiefs.
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The Bears enter their matchup with the Commanders at 2-2. They started off the 2025 season with back-to-back losses against the Vikings and Lions, but followed that up with wins over the Cowboys and Raiders.
The Commanders enter their matchup with the Bears at 3-2. They have alternated wins and losses through the first five games but most recently defeated the Chargers.
The Bears look to climb the divisional standings and keep pace with their division opponents above .500.
Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)Detroit Lions (4-2)Minnesota Vikings (3-2)Chicago Bears (2-2)
The Commanders enter “Monday Night Football” in second place in the NFC East. Here’s how the division stacks up:
Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)Washington Commanders (3-2)Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)New York Giants (2-4)