Jayden Daniels had an outstanding rookie season, but he reached new heights with one of the most remarkable Hail Mary passes in NFL history during a thrilling game against the Chicago Bears.
On Sunday, the Washington Commanders pulled off a stunning comeback. With only 23 seconds left and trailing 15-12, Daniels launched a desperate final play, sending the ball as far as he could. In a chaotic scene, the pass was deflected among players in the end zone, where Noah Brown managed to catch it alone for a 52-yard game-winning touchdown, clinching an 18-15 victory.
Daniels’ extraordinary moment could prove to be a defining highlight in his career. Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn and the team’s sideline expressed their joy in the aftermath.
Before that last pass, it looked like Caleb Williams might secure a win for the Bears despite a rough game. Yet, Daniels had one last trick up his sleeve.
Following the dramatic finish, Daniels reflected on the game in an interview, expressing his gratitude for his team’s camaraderie. “Keep fighting, man, we keep fighting,” he shared with CBS’ Tracy Wolfson. “We’ve got a great locker room, a great brotherhood. Nobody else I’d rather go to war with.”
The first half of the game was a struggle for both offenses, with neither team managing a touchdown. The Bears were scoreless in the first half, and a significant opportunity for them resulted in a 15-yard sack against Williams as he attempted to escape pressure.
In contrast, the Commanders had a strong start, leading 9-0 at halftime thanks to three field goals. Despite nursing a rib injury, Daniels completed 10 of 19 passes for 154 yards and rushed for 31 yards. Overall, he finished the game with 326 passing yards, including the memorable final play.
While the Bears showed signs of life in the second half, Washington initially appeared poised to score a touchdown when Olamide Zaccheaus caught a 32-yard pass from Daniels, only for it to be negated by an ineligible man downfield penalty. The Commanders settled for another field goal, extending their lead to 12-0.
The Bears finally responded with D’Andre Swift scoring on a 56-yard touchdown run, igniting their offense. A major blunder from the Bears’ coaching staff occurred when they attempted a handoff to offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr. at the goal line, which resulted in a fumble recovered by the Commanders.
Despite their struggles, the Bears mounted a late-game push, with Williams connecting with Rome Odunze to convert a critical third down. A controversial pass interference call against Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste gave the Bears a crucial opportunity, leading to a touchdown from Roschon Johnson with just 23 seconds remaining.
As the game neared its conclusion, it seemed Williams would claim victory despite his challenges, but Daniels had other plans.