NFL fans were treated this weekend to a matchup of the #1 and #2 overall picks in the 2023 NFL draft when Caleb Williams and the Bears went into Washington to take on Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Both rookies have had incredible seasons thus far, with Daniels on pace to break rookie QB records and Williams leading a seemingly cursed Bears squad on the path to the playoffs.
Sunday's matchup promised a glimpse into the future between these two star rookies as they seem destined to battle for years to come.
Setting the scene for Sunday, Daniels came into the game questionable with a rib injury sustained against Carolina the previous week. Williams came into town hot after dispatching the Jags in London to the tune of 228 yards and 4 TDs, arguably his best performance to date in the league.
Daniels was cleared to play right before the game with one of the caveats mentioned by pregame reporting being that his downfield velocity would be hampered by his rib injury. (More on that later)
The game started slow and looked to be a stinker by halftime, with the Commanders up 9-0 thanks to three field goals. The Bears struggled to protect Williams for most of the game leading to the Bears complete inability to kick-start any type of a passing offense.
By the third quarter, it looked dismal for the Bears who were down 12-0 by this point. Following a long D’Andre Swift touchdown run, the game was close in score but in reality felt like a chasm between the two times.
Then Caleb Williams started to show why he was taken with the first overall pick. His biggest calling card so far is his ability to win regardless of circumstance and situation. (Similar to another former Chicago sports star)
The Bears drove down the field early in the fourth quarter down to the Commanders 1-yard line before chaos ensued. One of the biggest critiques of the Bears coaching staff this season is their questionable play-calling and that was on full display from the 1-yard line.
Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron called a handoff to an offensive lineman who promptly fumbled the ball giving the Commanders the ball with the lead and 5 minutes to play.
Following a lucky 3 and out by the Commanders, the Bears got the ball back with roughly 3 minutes to play and 60 yards to go. Williams led an inspired drive and smartly drained the clock before a Roschon Johnson touchdown put the Bears up 14-12 with 25 seconds left in the game.
Ball game right? Well in the words of the immortal Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend!”
The Commanders completed two passes to get to roughly midfield with 4 seconds on the clock and time left for a Hail Mary. Then the real chaos ensued. The Commanders weighed the option of putting backup QB Marcus Mariota in the game for the final Hail Mary because of Daniels injury hampering his ability to throw the deep ball. Boy, was Dan Quinn glad he didn't make that substitution.
Jayden Daniels to win the game! An interesting look at the final play from this video's point of view, Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson appeared to be taunting Commanders fans as the final play was happening, only to realize halfway through what was going on. Then Stevenson was the culprit who tipped the game-winning pass into the hands of a waiting Noah Brown.
Tough look.
All in all, this game turned out to be everything it was promised and then some. The rematch is sure to be epic the next time these two stud QBs face off.