If you want to understand why the NFL is the undisputed king of American sports, you don't look at the flashy new expansion teams. You look at the mud-caked, bone-bruising history of the Washington Redskins vs Bears. This isn't just a game on the schedule; it’s a time capsule.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild when you think about it. These two franchises have been trading punches since the 1930s. We’re talking about an era where players didn’t even wear face masks and "the forward pass" was still considered a bit of a fancy-pants gimmick by some of the old guard.
The 73-0 Ghost That Never Left
You can't talk about Washington and Chicago without mentioning the 1940 NFL Championship. It is the most lopsided score in the history of professional football.
73-0.
Just let that sink in for a second. In a title game, no less. Before the game, Washington owner George Preston Marshall famously called the Bears "crybabies" and "quitters." Big mistake. George Halas, the legendary Bears founder, basically pinned those quotes to the locker room wall and let his team do the talking.
By the fourth quarter, the officials actually asked Halas to stop kicking extra points because they were running out of footballs. They’d all been kicked into the stands and never came back. When Sammy Baugh, the legendary Washington quarterback, was asked if the game would've been different if his receiver hadn't dropped an early touchdown, he gave the most "football guy" answer ever: "Yeah, it would have been 73-7."
Modern Heartbreak: The 2024 and 2025 Chapters
Fast forward to the present day. The names on the jerseys have changed—Washington is now the Commanders—but the habit of producing heart-stopping drama hasn’t moved an inch.
Take the October 27, 2024 game. Most people remember it as the "Miracle in Maryland." Jayden Daniels, playing through a rib injury that would’ve sidelined most humans, heaved a 52-yard Hail Mary as time expired. The ball was tipped, hanging in the air for what felt like an eternity, before falling into the arms of Noah Brown.
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Washington 18, Chicago 15. The stands at Northwest Stadium practically shook off their foundations. But if you're a Bears fan, that was a soul-crushing moment. It felt like the 1940 debt was being paid back in the most painful way possible.
Then came the rematch on Monday Night Football, October 13, 2025. This time, the weather was miserable. Rain slicked the field, and the ball was like a greased pig. Caleb Williams, Chicago's young signal-caller, showed that he's built for the grit. Despite Washington's Jayden Daniels throwing three touchdowns, a late fumble in the rain gave Chicago one last gasp.
Jake Moody stepped up and drilled a game-winner to make it 25-24.
It’s interesting how the series tends to swing like a pendulum. Washington currently leads the all-time series with 34 wins to Chicago’s 23, but the point margins in recent years are razor-thin. We are seeing a rivalry that is as balanced now as it was volatile eighty years ago.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most fans think the Washington Redskins vs Bears rivalry is just a relic of the past. They're wrong. It’s actually the blueprint for how the modern NFL was built.
In the 40s, it was the battle of the "T-Formation." Chicago’s innovation changed how every team in the league played offense. Today, it’s a battle of the "Dual-Threat" era. Watching Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams go at it feels like watching a mirror image of the Baugh vs. Luckman era, just with more speed and better cleats.
Why It Still Matters
This matchup represents the two pillars of the NFC. You have the historic toughness of the Midway and the traditional resilience of the District.
The stats tell a story of two teams that refuse to let the other pull away.
- Washington’s biggest win: 42-0 in 1974.
- Chicago’s biggest win: That 73-0 drubbing in 1940.
- Recent trend: Four consecutive years of regular-season matchups (2022-2025).
When these two meet, throw the record books out the window. It doesn't matter if one team is 10-0 and the other is 0-10. Someone is going to get hit hard, someone is going to make a miracle play, and it’s probably going to come down to the final two minutes of the game.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re heading to a game or just watching from the couch, here is how to actually enjoy the depth of this rivalry:
- Look at the Trenches: Both teams historically build through the defensive line. In the 2025 matchup, players like Frankie Luvu and Johnny Newton were the real reasons the game stayed close. Watch the interior linework, not just the ball.
- Ignore the "Home Field" Myth: Interestingly, both teams have a weird habit of winning in the other's stadium. Washington has snatched several wins in Chicago over the last decade, and the Bears just took a thriller in Landover.
- Track the Weather: Because both teams play in open-air stadiums in "tough" climates, late-season matchups are almost always decided by ball security. If the humidity is high or the temp is low, bet on the team with the better running back—currently, that’s been D'Andre Swift for the Bears.
- Value the Tight End: In the most recent games, Zach Ertz and Cole Kmet have been the safety blankets. In a high-pressure rivalry, young QBs look for the big targets over the middle.
The next time you see Washington Redskins vs Bears (or the Commanders vs Bears) on the ticker, don't just see it as another game. See it as a continuation of a century-long argument about who truly owns the soul of the NFC. Whether it's a 73-point blowout or a 1-point nail-biter, history is always watching.