The Chicago Bears won their first football game since Oct. 24, 2022, with an impressive win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.
Quarterback Justin Fields led the offense, throwing four touchdowns and passing for 282 yards, en route to a 40-20 win. Receiver DJ Moore had a career game with eight catches for 230 yards and three scores.
Buy Bears TicketsWith speculation of Matt Eberflus potentially being let go with a loss, the team showed up for their head coach, showing that he still has control of that locker room. If this football team can continue to play at this level, they’re going to continue to win football games.
After their first win in almost a year, let’s take a look at where Chicago stands in the power rankings heading into Week 6.
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 24th
Last Week’s Ranking: 32nd
Author: Pete Prisco
Author’s take:
Two good weeks in a row for Justin Fields is a great indicator going forward. The Bears looked good in blowing out the Commanders.
Our take:
It took fans around a drive and a half to know Justin Fields is back and playing well. How long does this last? Is it a flash in the pan or does this offense continue to play well? Only time will tell. But if they keep playing at this level, fans should be excited.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 26th
Last Week’s Ranking: 32nd
Author: Nate Davis
Author’s take:
The Justin Fields-to-DJ Moore Show has sparked Chicago’s revival. But look closer, and you’ll also note a running game averaging better than 170 yards the past two weeks and some encouraging signs of life on defense at Washington. The schedule also suggests Da Bears could easily be a .500 team from here on out.
Our take:
One big win and the Bears are right back in the mix of things. With winnable games coming up, Chicago has the potential to lean toward a .500 team. Anything is possible after last Thursday’s win. But don’t get too excited just yet, there are still a lot of tough football teams left on the schedule, and this is a one-win football team we’re talking about. Still, anything is possible.
Bears Wire
Current Ranking: 28th
Last Week’s Ranking: 32nd
Author: Brendan Sugrue
Author’s take:
After nearly a full year, the Bears finally won a game – and they looked really good doing it, too. Chicago’s offense looks to have finally arrived and their defense got more creative despite numerous injuries. Let’s see if this play continues over the next couple of weeks.
Our take:
After a 347-day stretch of no wins, the Bears are back on the board. Now, it’s time to build off of it. They haven’t won back-to-back games since Oct. 10, 2021. That’s a long time to not win consecutive football games.
ESPN
Current Ranking: 29th
Last Week’s Ranking: 32nd
Author: Courtney Cronin
Author’s take:
In theory, this shouldn’t be a surprise. The Bears brought Moore in to elevate Chicago’s offense. He should be getting double-digit targets a game, but the fact that he’s second in fantasy points scored after the struggles this passing game went through in three of its first five games is the best outcome any fantasy owner could have hoped for. Moore exploded for 230 receiving yards and three touchdowns against Washington and has a chance for another big outing against Minnesota’s 22nd-ranked pass defense.
Our take:
Justin Fields and DJ Moore had a night to remember. Twenty more yards and Moore would have the record for the most receiving yards in a single game for a Bears receiver. Fields and Moore have a special connection, and that three-touchdown, 230-yard game showed it.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 30th
Last Week’s Ranking: 32nd
Author: Eric Edholm
Author’s take:
Thursday’s rousing victory was a bolt out the blue, but it did continue some of the offensive gains made in most of the loss to the Broncos, so there’s evidence that things are developing on that side of the ball. Justin Fields now has enjoyed back-to-back banner games, and DJ Moore’s emergence gives Chicago a tangible strength. That said, the offensive line and backfield have issues, and the defense still needs to make strides, even after a mostly good performance at Washington. The good news is that the Bears have two straight home games against teams they can match up with (Vikings and Raiders) and they should get healthier in the secondary, with Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon set to return at some point.
Our take:
DJ Moore has continued to prove that he was worth the trade. Five of Justin Fields’ 11 touchdowns have been to Moore. After a slow start in Week 1, these two have been on a roll.
