DJ Moore had the most prolific game of his NFL career and powered the Bears to their first win of the season in the process Thursday night at FedEx Field.
The veteran receiver caught eight passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bears to an impressive 40-20 victory over the Washington Commanders. The 230 yards were a career high and the second most in Bears history, trailing only Alshon Jeffery’s 249 yards Dec. 1, 2013, at Minnesota.
Moore had four catches for 126 yards and one TD in the first quarter and added a second touchdown in the second period to help the Bears build a 27-3 halftime lead. He then sealed the win—after the Commanders had narrowed the gap to 30-20—with a 56-yard touchdown reception with 4:09 remaining.
Justin Fields threw four TD passes for the second straight game, completing 15 of 29 passes for 282 yards with no turnovers and a 125.3 passer rating while also rushing for 57 yards on 11 carries.
The defense did its part, registering a season-high five sacks and two takeaways.
It was the type of performance that no doubt would have pleased Bears Hall of Fame middle linebacker Dick Butkus, who passed away before the game.
The Bears (1-4) dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half. Their offense scored on all five of its possessions—highlighted by three Fields touchdown passes. The defense yielded only 84 yards and didn’t allow a first down until the Bears had grabbed a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Commanders outscored the Bears 17-3 to begin the second half, narrowing the gap to 30-20 early in the fourth quarter. But Moore responded with another sensational play to ice the win, leaping high over cornerback Kendall Fuller to snare a Fields pass and racing 56 yards down the left sideline.
With the win, the Bears snapped a 14-game losing streak dating back to last year.
“The feeling that we all had after the game is just a feeling that you never want to end,” Justin Fields said. “Just proud of the way all the guys came out and played tonight. The O-line did their thing versus that dominant D-line. They showed out. Really just everybody did. Running backs did their thing. The receivers, of course, did their thing too. Just proud of everybody.”
