As the clock ticked down and the Washington Commanders found themselves needing a miracle to overcome the Chicago Bears, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels had two clear goals in mind: buy time and keep the ball in play.
“Buy time and keep the ball in play and don’t throw the ball out of bounds,” Daniels later told ESPN.
With no time left on the clock, Daniels scrambled for nearly 13 seconds, dodging defenders before throwing a 52-yard pass from Washington’s 35-yard line. The ball tipped off the hands of Chicago’s Tyrique Stevenson just short of the goal line, landing perfectly into the hands of Commanders receiver Noah Brown, who stood alone in the end zone. The play sealed an improbable 18-15 victory for Washington, sending players, coaches, and fans into ecstatic celebration.
This play became only the fifth go-ahead Hail Mary touchdown in the last 10 seconds of a game since 2006, and at 52 yards, it ranks as the second-longest in recent NFL history, trailing only Aaron Rodgers’ “Miracle in Motown” against the Lions in 2015.
“That was wild,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn remarked in his post-game comments. “What I love about this team is that we’re never out of the fight.”
Daniels, who had been uncertain to play just hours before kickoff due to a rib injury, admitted he didn’t even see Brown’s catch in the end zone. “I just heard the screaming and saw our sideline rushing the field,” Daniels said. “Not too many people get to experience something like that.”
The Commanders (6-2) found themselves in a nail-biting position after Bears running back Roschon Johnson scored a touchdown following a pass-interference penalty that placed the ball on the 1-yard line. Chicago took the lead with 25 seconds remaining. But Daniels led a swift series of completions, positioning Washington for one last, unforgettable play.
In an amazing performance, Daniels threw for 326 yards and added 52 on the ground, heightening his status as a favorite for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Receiver Noah Brown praised Daniels’ abilities, saying, “We’re blessed to have ‘5’ leading this team. I wouldn’t want to play with any other quarterback.”
Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi described the moment as “like a movie,” saying, “front-row seats to something amazing. This will stick in my head forever.”
This game marked the first since 1977 in which both teams scored go-ahead touchdowns within the final 30 seconds. Daniels’ counterpart, Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback, struggled throughout, completing only 10 of 24 passes for 131 yards. Up until the fourth quarter, Williams had only passed for under 40 yards.
For the Bears, who had their three-game winning streak snapped, the loss stung. “That’s just us shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Williams, a Washington-area native. “Definitely missed a few passes I don’t usually miss.”
Despite dealing with a rib injury that had limited him in practice, Daniels proved his resilience and delivered when it counted most. “We knew he had it in him,” said Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. “He just showed us today what he’s capable of and how tough he is.”
