(670 The Score) The Bears pulled out a nailbiter once again Monday, earning a 25-24 road win against the Commanders as new kicker Jake Moody booted a game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired.
Here are observations from another wild win for the Bears, who improved to 3-2.
Culture-building wins
In accepting the Bears’ head coaching position in January, Ben Johnson understood the challenge he faced. He was walking into a franchise that had struggled for years to instill a healthy culture.
The Bears beat themselves too often in years past, especially during former head coach Matt Eberflus' tenure in which he went 14-32. Johnson knew that before he could strive for the goal of lasting success, he had to push the Bears toward winning habits. Those have been on display now in three consecutive wins.
After an emphatic 31-14 victory against the Cowboys on Sept. 21, the Bears have posted back-to-back 25-24 victories that were decided in the waning seconds. The results represent culture-building wins.
In Las Vegas on Sept. 28, the Bears blocked the Raiders' late go-ahead field-goal attempt to secure a victory. It felt like they stole a win they usually didn't get in the years prior. Then, the Bears did it again Monday in Washington.
Yes, it took some good fortune as Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a snap late in the fourth quarter as Washington led 24-22. But the Bears made the most of their opportunity by taking care of the football in the final 3:07 and driving 36 yards across eight plays to put themselves in comfortable field-goal range.
Then came Moody, the substitute kicker stepping in for the injured Cairo Santos. He hit his fourth field goal of the night for the win.
The Bears celebrated at Northwest Stadium, with many players greeting Moody for the first time. Johnson was quick to remind the Bears that they can get better. He pointed to the team’s nine penalties for 84 yards as part of the problem.
“That was a team win,” Johnson told his players. “All three phases, it took all three phases to win that game. Hey, let me just tell you this: Just imagine when we clean up these penalties, you guys understand where we’re going, right?”
In Eberflus’ tenure, the Bears suffered countless close, disappointing losses – after which, he would often tell his players that a breakthrough was on the horizon. It never was, and Eberflus was fired last November in part because his message wore on the team.
Johnson is preaching to the Bears that they can be great. The difference is that the results are starting to show. That’s the hallmark of a winning culture.
Swift runs free
In evaluating the Bears’ then-struggling running game last week, Johnson made a candid point.
“It's hard to evaluate any of our running backs right now,” Johnson said.
“We do have some dynamic players, whether it's our running backs or our receivers, that if we can give them a chance to get a little bit of green grass, they take advantage of it.”
On Monday, the Bears got their ground attack going like Johnson envisioned. Lead back D’Andre Swift led the way with 14 carries for 108 yards on an evening that he compiled 175 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The Bears rushed for 145 yards as a team behind an offensive line that excelled.
With Theo Benedet stepping in as the new left tackle, the Bears offensive line had its best performance of the season. Chicago averaged 5.4 yards per rushing attempt and 6.5 yards per play in an efficient performance.
For the often-maligned Swift, the outing proved that he can be a dynamic rusher for the Bears with the right blocking up front.
QB1 shines
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a strong-but-somewhat unheralded performance.
He was 17-of-29 for 252 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover. Williams took care of the football in wet conditions and guided the Bears’ offense well, but his work was largely buried by the other storylines of the game.
That’s perfectly fine for the Bears, who have been working to improve around Williams. He was tasked with doing too much as Chicago's running game struggled to get moving early this season.
After the game, Johnson gave game balls to Swift and Moody for their work in the win. Williams is just fine celebrating his teammates’ success, especially when they’re savoring a victory.
Distracted for a good cause
For the first time in my 11 years covering the Bears, I didn't intently watch a game as it happened live. The Vaughn McClure & Jeff Dickerson Foundation held its annual fall event – a game watch party at Morgan’s on Fulton in the West Loop.
Thanks to our sold-out crowd who attended and helped us raise money to honor the late Vaughn and JD. Those donations support heart and cancer research, mental health initiatives and journalism scholarships. Last year, we raised more than $300,000. The goal is similar this year. Bears great Tommie Harris was terrific as our emcee.
As for watching the game, it took several rewatches early Tuesday morning to truly appreciate what a wild game this was. It was a winning night all around.
Extra points
-- Head referee Alex Moore is in his first year leading a crew. It certainly showed in a rough night for the officiating crew.
-- The dynamic Washington ground game averaged just 4.0 yards per carry, and rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran 17 times for just 61 yards as the Bears' defense stepped up.
-- Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is playing at a high level this season. He looks plenty comfortable in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme.
-- Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is having a strong season. He had 1.5 sacks Monday and was a disruptive force on the defensive front.
-- It was good to see more flash from Bears rookie receiver Luther Burden III, who had a team-high four catches for 51 yards.
-- We’ll see if there’s a kicker competition to play out for the Bears, but for now, let’s just enjoy what Moody did in winning that game.
-- The Bears and Commanders play weird games.
-- The Bears will be favorites against the struggling Saints as they look to extend their winning streak to four games and improve to 4-2 next Sunday.
-- Good, better, best, never let it rest. Because your good becomes your better and your better becomes your best.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.