Sunday’s matchup between the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears had the makings of a must-watch contest.
With Caleb Williams, this summer’s first-overall pick, leading the Bears into Washington on a three-game win streak to face second-overall pick and Offensive Rookie of the Year favourite Jayden Daniels and surprising Commanders, there was more on the line than NFL fans might have expected entering the season.
But through the first 59 minutes, the game was shaping up to be a bit of a snoozer as Williams struggled and the Commanders were forced to settle for four field goals, carrying a 12-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
However, things flipped in the final five minutes of the game. Williams authored a near-four-minute scoring drive, capped by Roschon Johnson’s one-yard touchdown run and successful two-point conversion to give the Bears a 15-12 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
It looked like Chicago had pulled a victory out of thin air after being dominated for most of the afternoon, but after the ensuing kickoff took the clock down to 19 seconds, Daniels provided a classic finish.
With two seconds remaining and the ball on the Washington 48-yard line, Daniels escaped the Bears’ four-man rush for over 10 seconds as his receivers ran to the end zone before launching the ball down the field.
As players from both teams battled for position to grab the pass, the ball was tipped backward and into the arms of receiver Noah Brown, who was standing by himself in paydirt for the game-winning 52-yard score.
The Washington sideline and crowd erupted after claiming the improbable victory. Football fans took to social media, as well, to celebrate the potential play of the year.
Here are some of the best reactions: