5 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders' last-gasp success vs. the Bears

Winner No. 3

Johnny Newton - Commanders DT

Jonathan Allen's absence meant others needed to step up. The Washington Commanders cannot afford any weak links in their improving defense. This bears more significance when one considers how influential the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is on and off the field.

Johnny Newton is among those tasked with filling the void. The rookie second-rounder missed a lot of football during his critical transition over the summer. However, he's finding his feet quickly and turned in the best performance of his professional career against the Chicago Bears in Week 8.

Newton managed to create significant disruption from the interior. He made life extremely uncomfortable for Caleb Williams in the first half. The interior force seemed to tire as the contest wore on, but this was another example of what the former Illinois star could bring to the Commanders long-term.

With three tackles, three quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss, Newton's role was integral to Washington's overall triumph. He also managed to produce a fumble recovery on the goal line during one of the game's most critical moments.

This was a huge step in the right direction for Newton. And he's only going to get better with more experience.

Winner No. 4

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

There was a sense of nervous excitement when Jayden Daniels got the green light to participate in Week 8. Fans were anxious considering he'd missed most of practice throughout the build-up with a rib issue. But head coach Dan Quinn was satisfied enough to give him a shot and see how the signal-caller fared.

Daniels demonstrated remarkable toughness. He took some big hits but kept on swinging. The offense was a little more disjointed than usual. However, it's also worth remembering that the Chicago Bears boast a formidable unit with top-level playmakers at all three levels of the field.

When the time came to step up with the game at stake, Daniels delivered. His miracle Hail Mary that tipped into the grateful hands of wide receiver Noah Brown was just what the No. 2 pick deserved following a gritty display in difficult circumstances. It also confirmed that the Commanders are never out of the fight when he's under center.

The former LSU star eventually finished with 326 passing yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Daniels earned a 71.0 QBR and also managed to gain 52 yards on the ground from eight carries. He'll probably be extremely sore for the next couple of days, but the winning feeling is all that matters.