Rain‑Soaked Bears Edge Commanders 25‑24 on Monday Night Football

When Chicago Bears stepped onto the slick field at Northwest Stadium on Monday, October 13, 2025, the rain forecast was already a headline grabber. The Bears, owned by the McCaskey family and led on‑field by kicker Moody, edged the Washington Commanders 25‑24 in a game that felt more like a weather showdown than a pure football duel. Broadcast nationally on ABC, the contest kicked off at 8:15 p.m. ET under overcast skies, 60‑minute‑long drizzle, and north‑westerly winds gusting up to 25 mph. Game Operations chief Jon Runyan monitored the conditions closely, but the match stayed on schedule, delivering a finish that validated every pre‑game meteorological prediction.

Game Overview and Final Score

The Bears’ lone decisive moment came in the closing seconds when Moody slotted a 28‑yard field goal, pushing Chicago ahead by a single point. The Commanders, who had rallied from a 10‑point deficit in the third quarter, missed a last‑second attempt that would have sent the game to overtime. Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for 210 yards, but a pair of miskicked snaps – likely the result of the slick ball – stalled two promising drives. The final tally read 25‑24, a razor‑thin margin that made the rain‑soaked field feel like a decisive third player.

Pre‑Game Weather Forecasts

Three independent outlets converged on a similar outlook:

• NFL Operations warned of a 40 % chance of rain, wind between 15‑20 mph, and temperatures in the upper 50s (°F).
• The Action Network initially projected a 60 % rain probability that would taper to 30 % as the night progressed, citing a weakening nor’easter.
• DraftKings‑affiliated RotoGrinders meteorologist Kevin Roth gave the most granular forecast: 59 °F, 60 % chance of precipitation, winds near 10 mph, and “a few hundredths of an inch of rain” that could make the field and ball “a bit slick.”

All three sources emphasized a potential impact on the passing game, predicting “dropped balls, slipped routes, off‑target passes.” The forecasted wind—though modest—was expected to affect the trajectory of long throws, especially in the red‑zone.

How Rain and Wind Shaped Play

Roth’s prediction proved prescient. Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to establish rhythm; the Bears managed just 7 points off a short field‑goal drive, while the Commanders were forced into three punts. The slippery turf caused a handful of fumbles, including a key muff by the Bears’ running back that set up Washington’s only touchdown before halftime.

In the third quarter, as the drizzle lightened, the Commanders found a brief groove, moving the ball 55 yards in 18 seconds—a play highlighted by a perfectly timed pass to wide receiver Robby Anderson. Yet the ball’s slick surface caused a slip at the line of scrimmage, pushing the play back and ultimately resulting in a field‑goal attempt that was missed wide.

The wind factor was subtle but present. Kicker Moody’s 28‑yard field goal was kicked from a new‑grass tee that compensated for a 2‑inch crosswind, a detail revealed by the game's special‑teams coach after the match. The gusts also forced the Commanders to rely more heavily on short, quick passes, limiting their deep‑ball threat.

Reactions from Teams and Experts

Post‑game, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus praised his squad’s “adaptability under wet conditions,” noting that “the ball might have been slick, but our preparation was slicker.” The Commanders’ team president Jason Wright expressed disappointment but remained optimistic: “We fought hard, and the weather was a factor we can’t control. We’ll learn from this as we head into Week 7.”

Roth, on his Twitter/X handle @KevinRothWx, posted: “Rain was light, but enough to make a difference. Expect a slight dip in passing efficiency when games sit in the drizzle.” Sports‑betting analyst Maria Lopez of OddsTrader added that the weather‑adjusted odds “didn’t shift dramatically, but bettors who accounted for the slick ball got a better edge.”

Implications for Future NFL Matchups

The successful execution of game‑day protocols by NFL Operations under Jon Runyan’s oversight reinforces the league’s confidence in holding outdoor games despite inclement forecasts. However, the close finish sparked conversations about potential rule tweaks—like a “wet‑field” pass interference review—to address ambiguous calls when visibility is hampered by rain.

Teams will likely integrate more granular weather data into their game plans. The Vikings, for example, have already hired a dedicated meteorologist for their coaching staff after a recent muddy matchup. As the season progresses into the colder months, we can expect a rise in strategic emphasis on footwear, ball handling, and quick‑pass concepts.

Key Takeaways

• Rain and moderate wind at Northwest Stadium materially affected ball handling and passing efficiency.
• Both the Bears and Commanders adjusted play‑calling, but the Bears’ special‑teams execution—particularly Moody’s field goal—proved decisive.
• Expert forecasts from NFL Operations, Action Network, and RotoGrinders aligned closely with on‑field realities, underscoring the value of detailed weather intel.
• League officials maintained schedule integrity, offering a template for handling similar conditions in future weeks.