In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Washington Commanders pulled off an improbable 18-15 victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday night thanks to a last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass that left players, fans, and even major sports stars absolutely flabbergasted. With mere seconds remaining and trailing by three points, Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels uncorked a desperation heave from midfield that somehow found its way into the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown in the back of the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration on the Washington sideline and leaving the Bears and their fans utterly shell-shocked.
A Miraculous Ending
The unbelievable finish capped a wild final minute of action that saw the Bears take a 15-12 lead on a field goal with just 23 seconds left on the clock. That set the stage for Daniels and the Commanders offense to take over at their own 25-yard line with no timeouts remaining. After a quick sideline pass got Washington to midfield with three seconds to go, Daniels took the snap, scrambled to his right to avoid the pass rush, and launched a high-arcing pass towards a mass of players in the end zone.
The ball was tipped by multiple hands before landing squarely in the awaiting arms of a leaping Brown, who managed to get both feet down before tumbling out of bounds, setting off a raucous celebration as officials confirmed the touchdown. Daniels, who had been battling a rib injury throughout the game, could hardly believe what had just unfolded.
“Nobody else I’d rather go to war with. We keep fighting. We got a great locker room, a great brotherhood.”
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders Quarterback
Stars React to Stunning Upset
The miraculous Hail Mary sent social media into a frenzy, with reactions pouring in from NFL players and other sports stars who could hardly believe what they had just witnessed. Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant, a noted Commanders fan, shared his elation on Twitter.
“HAHAHHAA LETS GO @Commanders”
Kevin Durant, NBA Superstar
Fellow Commanders superfan Josh Hart of the New York Knicks echoed that sentiment, exclaiming in all caps:
“YEAAAA @Commanders ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️”
Josh Hart, New York Knicks Guard
Retired NFL defensive great J.J. Watt could only muster a stunned “NO WAYYYYYYYYYY” while NBA legend Magic Johnson, another devoted Washington fan, went into detail about his joy and appreciation for Daniels’ heroics.
“OMGGGG!! The Hail Mary pass from our quarterback Jayden Daniels to Noah Brown with no time on the clock ended up working for my Commanders!! An incredible 18-15 win! I’m so proud and thankful for Jayden Daniels stepping up to play after his rib injury and leading us to victory.”
Magic Johnson, NBA Hall of Famer
Making NFL History
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Daniels became just the second rookie quarterback to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass on a Hail Mary play in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime since the company began tracking that data in 2006. It also marked the first time in this century that two teams scored touchdowns in the final 30 seconds of a game.
For the Commanders, it was an outcome that seemed unimaginable after the Bears had marched down the field to retake the lead in the closing seconds. But with one flick of the wrist and a prayer answered in the end zone, Daniels and his teammates managed to author an all-time NFL miracle that won’t soon be forgotten. As for the Bears, it was a gut-wrenching loss that left players struggling to process how victory had been snatched away in the most dramatic of fashions.
A Finish for the Ages
In the aftermath of the chaos and celebrations, NFL analysts and observers were left slack-jawed as they attempted to put the Hail Mary finish into historical context. Many were quick to compare it to some of the most iconic desperation passes in football lore.
- Roger Staubach’s original “Hail Mary” to Drew Pearson (1975 playoffs)
- Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook to beat Michigan (1994)
- Doug Flutie’s legendary heave to Gerard Phelan (1984)
- Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers to stun the Lions (2015)
While the Commanders’ miracle moment may not yet have the same historical cachet as those fabled plays, the sheer improbability and drama of Daniels finding Brown to cap a roller coaster of a final minute immediately vaulted the touchdown into the pantheon of NFL Hail Marys. For a franchise that has endured its fair share of struggles and heartache in recent years, the unforgettable score also gave long-suffering Washington fans a jolt of joy and renewed hope for the future.
As the NFL world attempted to catch its collective breath after witnessing the unthinkable on Monday night, one thing was abundantly clear: the legend of Jayden Daniels, Noah Brown, and the Washington Commanders’ Hail Mary for the ages had only just begun. With the heart-stopping victory, the Commanders improved to 5-3 on the season and put the rest of the league on notice that they possess a flair for the dramatic that few teams can match.
