The matchup between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders features a showdown between a first-overall quarterback pick and a second-overall pick. However, with the game moved to national television, it’s unclear if it will deliver the excitement the NFL hoped for.
Due to Jayden Daniels’ rib injury, there’s uncertainty around a matchup of rookie quarterbacks who have led their teams to unexpectedly strong starts. Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, brings the Bears into Washington for his homecoming on a three-game winning streak, while the Commanders are deciding between Daniels and veteran Marcus Mariota for Sunday’s start.
If Williams and Daniels do face off, it would be only the sixth meeting of first and second picks at quarterback in the season after being drafted since the 1967 common draft era began. Mariota, who was a No. 2 pick himself, reflected on his own experience facing Jameis Winston, saying, “It really means nothing,” and praised Daniels’ focus on improvement despite any weekly challenges.
Williams is excited for his first pro game in his hometown area, noting he hasn’t been back much since high school and is looking forward to sharing the experience — but securing a win is his main goal.
The Bears, now 4-2 after their bye week, last lost on September 22. Williams has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception over the last three games, which doesn’t surprise Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Williams last season at USC. Kingsbury noted Williams’ “freaky Mahomes-type throws” and extended playmaking as reasons he could be a top NFL quarterback for years.
Daniels, meanwhile, has helped the 5-2 Commanders rise to the top of the NFC East, passing for 1,410 yards and six touchdowns and adding four rushing touchdowns. Williams, with 1,317 passing yards, isn’t far behind in the race for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, though Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stated that Daniels is motivated more by the challenge itself than the matchup with Williams.
Bears receiver DJ Moore was instrumental in their Week 5 victory over Washington last season, catching eight passes for a career-high 230 yards and three touchdowns, ending Chicago’s 14-game losing streak with a 40-20 win. Moore joked about the game, noting, “Two hundred thirty don’t go out your mind,” but acknowledged it’s a new season with some fresh faces on Washington’s side.
With 314 yards this season after setting a career-best 1,364 yards in 2023, Moore now has a deeper Bears receiver corps around him, boosted by the addition of six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze, selected ninth overall.
