There have been many memorable moments from the Washington Commanders' 2024 season so far. None more so than the miraculous Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears.
As it turned out, it was the catalyst behind the NFC North outfit spiraling into oblivion.
Things could have been different. The Bears were 4-2 with hopes of keeping pace with three playoff frontrunners within their division. A lapse of concentration and poor execution with time expiring denied them a fifth victory of the campaign at Northwest Stadium amid scenes of delirium.
The Bears haven't been the same since.
Bears haven't been the same since Commanders' miracle Hail Mary
Since that ill-fated moment, the Bears haven't won a game. A woeful 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football was the latest in a long line of inept showings. They are now on a 10-game losing run dating back to their contest in Washington.
Players are visibly dejected both on the field and speaking to the media. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is fighting a losing battle and seems devoid of any confidence. Head coach Matt Eberflus has already been fired and interim Thomas Brown hasn't galvanized this group effectively enough.
There's just no telling how things could have gone for the Bears if veteran wide receiver Noah Brown hadn't gratefully accepted the gift from Chicago's defense on the last-second heave by Jayden Daniels. They might not be in contention with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers, but their fortunes couldn't look worse than they do right now.
As for the Commanders? They are riding on the crest of a wave. Dan Quinn had to navigate a tricky stretch in the weeks leading up to their bye, but a sensational comeback triumph against the Philadelphia Eagles puts them within one win of securing a postseason berth.
There is a strong culture in place where the Commanders are concerned. The level of professionalism, purpose, and working within a tight-knit group in pursuit of one common goal quickly became a breath of fresh air. If they'd been the recipient of a Hail Mary setback like this, the resolve installed by Quinn suggests it would have been shaken off quickly.
The Bears imploded. This was a house of cards judging by how they capitulated after their disastrous stroke of luck. Chicago was seen as the perfect setup for the No. 1 overall pick to thrive. For the second straight year, it's been anything but.
One play — a fleeting moment in a grueling season — doesn't dictate what happens throughout an entire 17-game campaign. However, the Commanders' spectacular Hail Mary to defeat the Bears was a damning tipping point en route to catastrophe.
Just how long it takes for the Bears to shake it off is anyone's guess. But the ripple effects caused a tsunami across the storied organization.
And not in a good way.