This week’s edition of “Thursday Night Football” is a matchup of two teams looking to pull up from a tailspin.
The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s two remaining winless teams and are stuck in a franchise-worst 14-game losing streak after blowing a 21-point lead in a Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, have dropped their last two games and are trying to get back above .500 before hitting the road for four of their next five games.
USA TODAY Sports will have updates throughout the night, so check back often for all the latest on the game:
The Bears were able to score points on back-to-back possessions.
Running back Khalil Herbert’s 34-yard run put Chicago in the red zone. The Bears weren’t able to reach the end zone, but kicker Cairo Santos made a short 22-yard field goal to extend Chicago’s lead to 10-0 late in the first quarter.
The Bears have gained 145 yards in two possessions. — Tyler Dragon
It’s been almost exactly one year since the Commanders defeated the Bears, 12-7, in Chicago in an ugly Week 6 Thursday nighter at Soldier Field. Washington RB Brian Robinson Jr. scored his first NFL touchdown not two months after he’d been shot during a carjacking in the District of Columbia. — Nate Davis
The 0-4 Chicago Bears’ opening drive was a success.
Quarterback Justin Fields hit wide receiver DJ Moore on a deep pass for 58 yards to put the Bears in Washington territory. A few plays later, Fields found Moore again for a 20-yard touchdown.
Chicago’s first TD drive went six plays for 75 yards in just under three minutes.
Moore tallied two catches for 78 yards on Chicago’s first possession. — Tyler Dragon
Bears vs. Commanders will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 5.
Bears at Commanders will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
The first NFL game played following the passing of legend Dick Butkus fittingly includes the team Butkus played his nine-year NFL career playing for the Bears.
Prior to kickoff, the public-address announcer asked for a moment of silence in Butkus’ memory as Bears and Commanders players lined the sidelines. — Chris Bumbaca
Ryan Fitzpatrick had his “fanboy moment” on the pregame show when Magic Johnson joined the show’s C-block.
“Well Magic, my heart is beating out of chest right now,” said Fitzpatrick, seated immediately to Johnson’s right in the middle of the “TNF” desk.
“Fitzmagic” – whose childhood hero was Magic Johnson – unbuttoned his patented zany shirt to reveal a yellow Lakers No. 32 jersey.
“Fanboy, I love it,” Johnson said as he signed the jersey on the “2” with a black sharpie.
Johnson also signed pictures for Fitzpatrick’s seven children.
“I loved you growing up,” Fitzpatrick said. — Chris Bumbaca
The Washington Commanders declared RB Chris Rodriguez, DE KJ Henry, T Trent Scott, G Chris Paul, TE Curtis Hodges and WR Mitchell Tinsley inactive for Thursday night’s game.
Bears Chase Claypool is a healthy scratch. RB D’Onta Foreman, OT Aviante Collins, CB Jaylon Johnson, CB Duron Harmon and S Eddie Jackson are also inactive for Chicago. — Tyler Dragon
Lorenzo Reyes: Commanders 25, Bears 17
Chicago’s season is on the brink of collapse. The coaching staff is in danger of losing the locker room, players have publicly expressed discontent and feelings of being misused and Washington has been a plucky side. The Bears are yet to cover a spread so I won’t back them until they give me reason to think otherwise.
Tyler Dragon: Commanders 23, Bears 18
The 0-4 Bears might be the worst team in the NFL right now. While the Commanders have played well outside of a Week 3 blowout loss to Buffalo. Washington’s defensive front should be able to cause trouble for the Bears, and Eric Bieniemy has the club’s offense playing better than expected.
Victoria Hernandez: Commanders 30, Bears 23
The Bears woes continue after blowing a 21-point lead at home last week. After the game, it was evident the team just isn’t fired up enough and are satisfied with “good moments.” The Commanders, on the other hand, have shown that they’re hungry to compete with the big dogs and should take the home victory easy enough.
Jordan Mendoza: Commanders 30, Bears 20
After last week’s implosion, it’s hard to find any optimism for Chicago as they enter the Caleb Williams sweepstakes. Washington put up a good fight against the reigning NFC champions, and the offense has showed much more promise. Expect the Commanders to pull away from this one late in the game.
The Commanders enter the game as six-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
Week 5 of the NFL schedule comes in a touch light, the arrival of byes taking four teams with postseason aspirations out of play. But a banger of a Sunday night matchup should help offset those teams’ absences.
Here’s which teams USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts see emerging victorious this week.
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