THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 5: CHICAGO BEARS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

BY ADAM GREENE

Well, here’s one thing we can definitely say about this one — it is an NFL football game. I mean, no one would dispute that the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders are actual National Football League franchises, both with storied histories and they will face Thursday Night on Amazon Prime but, I’m sure, Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit are already putting in hefty drink orders to get through it. Oof.

This will be the 53^rd all-time meeting between the two teams with Washington holding a 27-24-1 lead in the series. They last played almost exactly a year ago, on Oct. 13, 2022, with the Commanders winning 12-7 in, again, a real NFL football game. I don’t know what to tell you. Carson Wentz (now unemployed) was 12 of 22 for 99 yards, with no touchdowns, and no picks in the “victory.” Brian Robinson had 17 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. Terry McLaurin caught three passes for 41 yards.

Justin Fields was 14 of 27 for 190 yards, a touchdown, and a pick in the loss. He led the Bears rushing with 12 carries for 88 yards. Dante Pettis caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

CHICAGO BEARS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (-6, O/U: 44.5)

Location: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.

Broadcast: Prime Video

Kickoff: Oct. 5, 8:15 p.m.

CHICAGO BEARS (0-4)

At some point you just have to feel sorry for Justin Fields. He played his best game of the season, but one dumb fumble late in the game returned for a touchdown would cost the team a chance at picking up its first victory in a 31-28 loss to the hapless Denver Broncos. And, trust me, we were all rooting for the Bears in that one, if for no other reason than comedy’s sake. Fields was 28 of 35 passing for 335 yards, four touchdowns and a pick in the loss. He rushed four times for 25 yards and was sacked four times. Khalil Herbert led the team on the ground with 18 carries for 103 yards. DJ Moore caught eight passes for 131 yards and a TD. Cole Kmet had seven receptions for 85 yards and two scores. The defense sacked Russell Wilson once.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2)

The Commanders nearly shocked the NFL world a week ago, almost knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles, before falling 34-31 in overtime. Sam Howell was 29 of 41 passing for 290 yards and a touchdown. He rushed six times for 40 yards and was sacked five times. Brian Robinson, Jr. carried the ball 14 times for 45 yards and a TD. Terry McLaurin caught eight passes for 86 yards. Jahan Dotson caught four passes for 27 yards and a score. The defense sacked Jalen Hurts three times.

THE PICK

This game is so potentially ugly that it should show up under my “Most Compatible” on Hinge. But, hey, it’s a Thursday night in the first week of October. What else do you have to do? Commanders 23, Bears 20

Last week

Straight up: 11-5

Against the spread: 9-7

Season

Straight up: 43-21

Against the spread: 36-28

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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