The Washington Commanders take to the primetime stage in Week 6 when they welcome the Chicago Bears to Northwest Stadium for Monday Night Football. And perhaps unsurprisingly, there is one big topic on everyone's mind.
This immediately invoked memories of last season's encounter between the two clubs at the same venue. When it looked like the Bears were heading for a statement victory, the Commanders had other ideas. Jayden Daniels heaved a prayer near the end zone as time expired, which fortunately fell into the grateful arms of wide receiver Noah Brown for a Hail Mary miracle.
It was an astonishing moment — one that sent the NFC adversaries on entirely different paths the rest of the way.
Commanders' miracle Hail Mary means absolutely nothing now
The Commanders went on a sensational run that lasted all the way to the NFC Championship game. Chicago, on the other hand, went into freefall, firing head coach Matt Eberflus and completely capitulating in the aftermath.
Bears fans have revenge on their mind. They've tried to turn this into an ongoing rivalry, but it just isn't there. The media is hyping things up, of course, but Daniels confirmed what Commanders fans have always thought about the seismic moment in the grand scheme of things.
"I don't want to talk about it. I'll just leave that to last year. That speaks for itself. That Hail Mary ain't gonna help us win a game on Monday. So, what's the point?"Jayden Daniels via Commanders.com
There is a little-discussed fact about why the Bears and Commanders went down completely different trajectories after the Hail Mary. One wallowed in self-pity, looking back with remorse and failing to focus firmly on turning the tide. The other brushed it off as just one game, part of their big-picture ambitions.
It's just that simple. Had the result gone the other way, Washington wouldn't have free-fallen like the Bears. They are made of sterner stuff under head coach Dan Quinn, overcoming significant adversity last season and doing the same again this time around.
No Hail Mary would have changed that.
The Bears are a different team now. They are on a two-game winning run and coming off their bye week. But for those who were part of their demoralizing defeat, especially defensive back Tyrique Stevenson, the scars still run deep.
As for the Commanders? They have a win on their mind. Nothing more, nothing less.
Last season's moment means nothing now. Washington is thinking bigger, and they have more than enough to pile more misery on the Bears by putting this Hail Mary hype to rest once and for all.