NFL Thursday night: Bears win after losing Dick Butkus

NFL Thursday night: Bears win after losing Dick Butkus

On the same day that franchise icon Dick Butkus died, the Chicago Bears ended a 14-game losing streak by defeating the Washington Commanders 40-20 on Thursday night.

Before the game at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, there was a moment silence for Butkus, a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker who played for the Bears from 1965 through 1973.

Then Chicago took the field and scored on all five of its first-half possessions on the way to a 27-3 lead.

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had five receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. After Washington closed the advantage to 30-20, Moore caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Field with 4:09 to play.

Moore had eight receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

Thirteen players from Alabama high schools and colleges were involved in the Chicago-Washington game:

· Jonathan Allen (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Commanders. Allen made seven tackles, recorded one sack and registered two quarterback hits. Allen moved into sole possession of the franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle (since 1982, when sacks became an official statistic). He had been tied with Dave Butz at 35.5.

· Bears defensive tackle Travis Bell (Jeff Davis) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Bears fullback Khari Blasingame (Buckhorn) had eight carries for 26 yards. Because of injuries, Blasingame was pressed into service at running back on Thursday night. In his 57 previous NFL regular-season and playoff games, Blasingame had three rushing attempts – all in the same game in the 2021 season.

· Commanders running back Derrick Gore (Alabama) did not record any stats. Gore was elevated from the practice squad to make him eligible to play.

· Bears safety Eddie Jackson (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive. Jackson missed a third consecutive game because of a foot injury.

· Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (Saraland) did not record any stats.

· Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Bears cornerback Christian Matthew (Samford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City) started at wide receiver for the Bears. Mooney was targeted four times but did not have a reception.

· Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Commanders. Payne made five tackles, registered two quarterback hits and forced a fumble, which Chicago recovered.

· Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama) made a tackle on special teams before leaving the game because of a knee injury.

· Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) started at running back for the Commanders. Robinson had 10 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 33 yards.

· Commanders offensive tackle Trent Scott (Lee-Huntsville) was designated as a game-day inactive.

At noon CDT Oct. 15, Chicago (1-4) hosts the Minnesota Vikings and Washington (2-3) visits the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during an NFL game on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.