Chicago Bears snap 14-game losing streak as they beat Commanders: Dedicate the victory to Dick Butkus

The Chicago Bears finally tasted victory this season when they defeated the Washington Commanders on the road 40-20.

The Bears had gone without a win in 14 games dating back to last season, but Justin Fields and DJ Moore combined to snap the 346-day losing streak on Thursday Night Football.

Following the triumph, the Bears’ X account dedicated the victory to legendary linebacker Dick Butkus, whose death was announced just a few hours before kickoff.

It’s the Bears’ first win since Oct. 24, 2022, and it came with a receiver in exile, their defensive coordinator gone and in the wake of last week’s 21-point lead.

None of that mattered at that moment. Fields had four touchdown passes to match his career-high from last week, this time in a game-winning effort as Chicago (1-4) temporarily put all the off-field drama aside.

DJ Moore (pictured) and quarterback Justin Field rioted together at FedEx Field

The death of NFL legend Dick Butkus was announced just a few hours before kickoff

Fields threw for 282 yards and ran for 57 yards, including a rush for a first down late in the third quarter after tipping the ball to himself on a high snap. Moore had 137 yards receiving in the first half alone, becoming the first Bears player to surpass 125 before halftime since at least 2000, finishing with eight catches.

It was such an impressive performance that it caught the attention of LeBron James, who posted on social media: “J Fields and DJ Moore are going crazy now!!! SHEESH!!”

The Bears also had a defensive performance that felt like a fitting way to honor Butkus, the fearsome Hall of Fame linebacker who died earlier Thursday at the age of 80.

They forced two turnovers and sacked Sam Howell five times to bounce back from a tough loss to Denver.

The Bears and Commanders also honored NFL legend Butkus before the game, while the two franchises held a moment of silence in honor of the game.

According to TMZ, paramedics responded to a medical emergency at Butkus’ Malibu residence at 12:51 a.m. on Thursday. The former linebacker was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene.

The report claims Butkus was unresponsive when someone went to check on him at the property.

The Butkus family confirmed that the Chicago Bears icon died “peacefully” overnight.

Fields threw for 282 yards and ran for 57 yards, including a rush for a first down in the third

Former Chicago linebacker Butkus died ‘peacefully’ at age 80

A native of Chicago, Butkus is hailed as one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers of all time

He spent his entire NFL career with the Bears and the team retired his number 51 jersey in 1994

Hailed as one of the greatest linebackers of all time, he was a defensive standout at the University of Illinois before being taken by his hometown Chicago Bears with the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL draft.

Butkus, who stood at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, spent his entire NFL career with the Bears before retiring in 1973 and the team retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.

And after the win, the Bears’ social media dedicated the result to Butkus, posting, “This one’s for 51.”

Meanwhile, Washington (2-3) lost a third straight game, this time struggling with missed tackles and poor coverage on defense while once again failing to force a turnover. Couple that with Howell’s interception, and there was a reason the Commanders were booed off the field at halftime by fans who had once again packed FedEx Field for another sellout.

Their second-half comeback bid failed, hampered by Logan Thomas’ fumble, a later drive stalled in the red zone and Joey Slye missing a 46-yard field goal attempt with five minutes remaining. Washington came as close as 10 points, but couldn’t end its losing streak and keep Chicago afloat.