When I look at tonight’s matchup between the Bears and the Commanders, I’m not looking at it like just another regular-season game. I’m looking at it like a measuring stick, a test that tells us who this Bears team really is and where they’re headed.
They’ve had time to prepare, time to rest, and time to reset. They just came off a win that felt different , a win that showed growth and maturity. The energy around Halas Hall is positive, the fans are fired up, and the locker room feels alive. Everything about this setup says the Bears should come out focused and ready. That’s what I want to see tonight, a team that understands what’s at stake and plays with purpose.
Because let’s be real: this game carries baggage. Every Bears fan remembers that painful finish last year against Washington. That was the night the Commanders stole one with a last-second Hail Mary — a 52-yard prayer from Jayden Daniels that bounced off a defender’s hands and somehow landed in Noah Brown’s arms. Final score: 18-15. That moment broke momentum, broke confidence, and became the symbol of everything Chicago was trying to outgrow , the “so close” heartbreak that defined the season.
That’s why tonight matters so much. The Bears have every reason to treat this game like a statement. It’s about rewriting perception. Can they close a game they’re supposed to win? Can they play four full quarters without letting one chaotic moment erase all the good they’ve built?
From a coaching perspective, I’ll be watching for poise. Can Caleb Williams manage pressure and keep drives alive? Can the defense stay disciplined and prevent those late-game lapses? Chicago’s defense has been improving, especially against the run, but the Commanders will test them with tempo and play-action.
Offensively, I want to see rhythm early, running the ball to set up the pass, not forcing big plays too soon. Control the clock, control the tempo, control the moment. That’s how you beat a team that burned you before.
If the Bears win this one, it says the culture shift is real. It says the preparation, the leadership, the accountability, all of it, is starting to click. If they lose, the questions return. Fans will start saying the same thing they’ve said for years: “Same old Bears.”
But if they win, people will start to believe. And that’s what this team needs most right now , belief.
So as a coach, I’ll be watching the little things: body language after mistakes, communication on defense, play-calling balance. Those details tell me everything about where a team’s mindset really is.
