NFL action is back on Amazon Prime this evening, and this is your one-stop shop for all the Thursday Night Football highlights from the Week 5 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders.
Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season kicks off tonight with a clash between a pair of old-school NFC franchises that seem headed in very different directions. The Bears enter the game winless and with a lot of pressure building on head coach Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields. While the 2-2 Commanders are looking to capitalize on the momentum they built in a near upset of the Philadelphia Eagles on the road last week.
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Eberflus is feeling serious heat right now and his job could be on the line tonight with the team looking for their first victory since Week 7 of the 2022 season. Fields is also at the heart of a great deal of speculation about his future after he has gotten off to a very slow start following a breakout year last season.
Although Washington has lost two straight, the offense, led by young QB Sam Howell, played very well in their previous game after being limited to just three points against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. A win for the Commanders would get them back on track and into the thick of the early season playoff chase in the NFC.
Related: Why Chicago Bears’ Matt Eberflus is coaching for his job Thursday night
With all of that in mind, get a look at all the key Thursday Night Football highlights from Week 5.
Thursday Night Football highlights in NFL Week 5
Below you can find all the latest highlights and details throughout tonight’s Thursday evening clash on Amazon Prime between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders. Also, get a look at the players who are hobbled or expected to miss the team’s matchup in Week 5.
The Bears and Fields got off to a strong start in their first drive of the game, which included connecting on a bomb to midfield to DJ Moore on a big third down to continue their opening drive.
That big play was a setup for the first score of the game as Fields connected with Moore again for a touchdown pass later in the drive to take a 7-0 lead. It was the quarterback’s seventh TD pass for the season.
After getting a quick stop on defense, Chicago drove down the field again and got a monster run from Khalil Herbert that took them from the 50-yard line down to the 10. However, the Commanders were able to hold the line and limited the damage to just three points.
The dominant play continued early in the second quarter as the Bears got another stop and had another impressive drive down the field. It all culminated in another Fields-to-Moore connection on touchdown after the wide receiver separated from his defender on a nasty route.
In response to falling into a 17-0 deficit, Washington had their best drive of the night and was able to finally put some points on the board midway through the second quarter and bring the score to 17-3.
The Commanders were able to get the ball back late in the quarter, this time down 20-3, with the hope of inching closer. However, early in the drive Howell threw into coverage and had his pass picked off by Greg Stroman Jr. Giving Chicago a chance to add to their lead before halftime.
The utter smashing the Bears put on the Commanders in the first half did not relent at 20-3 as Fields and the offense again drove down the field on the Washington defense and delivered a third passing touchdown to push the score to 27-3 at half time.
Washington had the ball first in the second half and showed they would not roll over and die and put together an impressive 75-yard drive that culminated with their first touchdown of the game — a TD pass — and a converted two-point conversion to move the score to 27-11.
On the following drive, the Commanders’ defense was stout to start the half and they kept their opponent in check and quickly got the ball. Back on offense, Washington started to move the ball again, however, their momentum was short circuited when extra effort turned into an extra turnover that gave Chicago the ball back.
Despite the turnover, Washington was able to limit the damage and regain control of the ball. This time, they were able to get points out of a solid drive and inch within two scores at 27-14. However, the Commanders’ defense was pushed around in the following drive, and the Bears finally put points on the board in the second half and pushed their lead to 30-14.
In the fourth, the Commanders kept fighting despite the deep deficit and put together another 75-yard drive that they capped off with a touchdown pass from Howell to Samuel. Unfortunately, they were unable to convert on the two-pointer and remained down by 10 with over 10 minutes left.
Washington and their young QB continued to play hard in the fourth and keep their opponents on their heels. In one standout moment, Howell hit on a beautiful pass to tight end Logan Thomas. Eventually, they were able to get in field goal range to get it to within a touchdown. Unfortunately, Joey Slye missed the kick wide left.
With four minutes left in the game, the Bears dropped the hammer, and on a risk that went wrong by a Commanders cornerback, DJ Moore was able to cap off a career game with a third TD to ice a big 40-20 win for Chicago. It is their first win since Week 7 of last year.
Chicago Bears injury report
- Chase Claypool – Out
- Eddie Jackson – Out
- Jaylon Johnson – Out
- Jaquan Brisker – Questionable
- Teven Jenkins – Questionable
Washington Commanders injury report
- Christopher Rodriguez Jr. – Questionable
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