LAKE FOREST, Ill. — How last year’s Bears-Commanders game finished is not something Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson can simply move past.
“It still hurts,” Stevenson said Wednesday. “Because at the end of the day I’m a football player and the last thing I wanna do is have a play that’s not so good and my name be memorable. On top of all the good things I did, it could overshadow that.”
But with a shot at redemption on Monday night, the third-year defensive back is focused solely on doing what he’s done in each of the Bears’ last two games: making big plays in big wins.
“It’s a 1-0 game,” Stevenson said. “I had a bad play. It is what it is. But I need to come out there and be the CB1 for this team and get the job done.”
It’s easier to wipe the slate clean under a new coaching staff.
“We’re a new team and we’re just focused on winning this game this week,” coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday.
Revenge is a dish best served with a win. Here’s what the CHGO Bears crew is expecting in Week 6:
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 3-1
There are definitely reasons to doubt the Bears on the road. For example, the Commanders have the best run offense in the NFL, while the Bears have one of the worst run defenses. So this is more of a gut pick.
The Bears’ defense finds a way to keep things close and forces a takeaway or two. Tyrique Stevenson continues to play like a No. 1 cornerback. And Caleb Williams gets a chance to deliver in the end in his hometown. This time, the Bears win on a field goal by kicker Cairo Santos in the end.
Bears 26, Commanders 24
Mark Carman
2025 record: 3-1
Theo Benedet is starting at left tackle. This man wore a robe after the win in Las Vegas when he spoke with CHGO. It is hard for me to pick against Benedet and the Bears, but alas, I shall this week. Washington runs the ball well (best in the NFL to this point). The Bears have had huge issues stopping the run. (31st) Seems important.
Commanders 27, Bears 23
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 2-2
The ol’ “good teams win, great teams cover.” It wouldn’t shock me to see the Bears win this game. Despite their rather putrid rush defense and ground attack, they’ve still found ways over the past two games to weather the storm. Monday night won’t be any easier against Commanders back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt.
If activated before Monday night, getting Austin Booker back from IR is a potentially significant addition to the defense. His game is speed, not power. Containing Jayden Daniels off the edge will require speed.
Still, home-field advantage for the Commanders, plus some inclement weather in the forecast and a banged up Cairo Santos could bode poorly for the Bears. So far, this is the most I’ve gone back and forth on a pick throughout the week, but I’ll stick with my gut.
Commanders 30, Bears 27
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 2-2
This is a “gut feeling” pick this week, as the EPA numbers say the Commanders’ offense has a significant advantage over the Bears’ defense. Games aren’t played on spreadsheets, though, and Washington’s receivers are all banged up, while the Bears are getting Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards back.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely break a few big runs, but Ben Johnson’s team showed in Las Vegas that they can come up with key plays in all three phases even when they aren’t playing well. I think the Bears will come out strong out of the bye week and Caleb Williams will play better in his second homecoming trip to D.C.
Bears 24, Commanders 21
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 2-2
With rain in the forecast, I think this is a lower-scoring game. Am I ready to buy all the way back in? Not yet…But I will be if they prove me wrong and exorcize their demons from last year’s Commanders game.
McLaurin and Noah Brown (last year’s recipient of a gifted hail mary completion) have already been ruled out. Dan Quinn is taking a cautious approach with Deebo Samuel, saying they’ll “take it into Monday” with his status.
For all of those reasons, I think this turns into a run game, and that could be trouble against rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and his NFL-leading 6.6 ypc. That includes 4.4 ypc AFTER contact. Finish. Your. Tackles. DJ Moore finds paydirt in this one.
Commanders 21, Bears 17
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 2-2
Caleb’s revenge with a game-winning touchdown. Tyrique Stevenson’s redemption with a pick 6. A boy can dream.
Bears 31, Commanders 28
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 2-2
Commanders 28, Bears 23
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 1-3
Last year, this game derailed the Bears with the infamous Stevenson trolling-the-crowd Hail Mary. Bears are on a two-game winning streak and seem to be on the right page. Defensively, they have been playing better. They need a strong offensive game. Need to get the run game going. On the defensive side, they have to be able to contain Daniels. Bears 3-2 after this game would be huge.
Bears 28, Commanders 24
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 1-3
Commanders 31, Bears 24
