Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders: A Historic NFL Rivalry
The Foundation of Two Storied Franchises
The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders represent two of the most decorated franchises in National Football League history. The Bears, founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, claim nine NFL championships including one Super Bowl victory in 1985. The Commanders, originally established as the Boston Braves in 1932 before relocating to Washington in 1937 and rebranding to the Commanders in 2022, have captured five NFL championships including three Super Bowl titles in 1982, 1987, and 1991.
These teams first met on October 16, 1932, when the Bears defeated the Boston Braves 7-0 at Braves Field. Since that initial encounter, they have faced each other 53 times through the 2023 season, with the Bears holding a 28-25-1 all-time series lead. The rivalry intensified during the 1930s and 1940s when both franchises dominated the league, and experienced renewed vigor during the 1980s when both teams fielded championship-caliber squads.
The geographical distance between Chicago and Washington meant these teams only met during regular season matchups when scheduled by the league or in playoff scenarios. This infrequency actually heightened the significance of each meeting, as fans and players recognized these games as clashes between storied organizations with rich traditions. The Bears' Monsters of the Midway mentality contrasted sharply with Washington's various identities throughout the decades, creating distinct stylistic differences that made their matchups compelling.
According to data from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, both franchises rank among the top ten in all-time wins, with the Bears sitting second with 789 victories and the Commanders ranking eighth with 624 wins as of the end of the 2023 season. This sustained excellence over nearly a century of professional football makes their head-to-head matchups particularly meaningful for understanding NFL history.
| Category | Chicago Bears | Washington Commanders | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Games | 54 | 54 | 1 |
| Regular Season Wins | 27 | 25 | 1 |
| Playoff Wins | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Points Scored | 1,247 | 1,198 | N/A |
| Largest Victory Margin | 73 points (1940) | 38 points (2012) | N/A |
| Current Streak | Bears - 1 game | N/A | N/A |
| Home Record | 16-10-1 | 12-15 | N/A |
Memorable Matchups That Defined the Rivalry
The 1940 NFL Championship Game stands as the most famous meeting between these franchises, though it technically occurred before the Boston franchise relocated to Washington. On December 8, 1940, the Bears demolished Washington 73-0 at Griffith Stadium in what remains the most lopsided game in NFL history. The Bears scored 11 touchdowns and rushed for 382 yards while holding Washington to just 5 first downs. This game revolutionized offensive football, as Bears owner George Halas showcased the T-formation with a man in motion, a scheme that would dominate the sport for decades.
The 1984 divisional playoff game at RFK Stadium saw the Bears defeat Washington 23-19 on their way to a 15-1 season, though they would ultimately lose in the NFC Championship. This game featured Walter Payton rushing for 104 yards against a stout Washington defense. The following season, the Bears completed their legendary 1985 campaign with a 46-10 Super Bowl XX victory over the New England Patriots, while Washington finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs.
More recently, the October 24, 2010 matchup at Soldier Field produced a thrilling 17-14 Bears victory when Devin Hester returned a punt 81 yards for the game-winning touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. This game exemplified the special teams excellence that has characterized Bears football throughout their history. In 2012, Washington traveled to Chicago and handed the Bears a stunning 45-41 defeat despite the Bears holding a 31-14 halftime lead. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III threw for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 84 yards in one of the most impressive comeback performances of that season.
The playoff history between these teams is surprisingly limited given their long histories. They have met just once in the postseason beyond the 1940 championship game: a 1984 divisional round contest won by Chicago 23-19. This scarcity of playoff meetings reflects the different eras of dominance each franchise has enjoyed, rarely peaking simultaneously except during brief windows in the 1940s and 1980s.
| Date | Location | Final Score | Total Points | Notable Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 8, 1940 | Washington | Bears 73-0 | 73 | 11 Bears touchdowns, NFL record |
| October 20, 2013 | Washington | Commanders 45-41 | 86 | RG3: 298 pass yards, 2 TD |
| November 14, 1948 | Chicago | Bears 48-13 | 61 | Johnny Lujack: 6 TD passes |
| November 3, 1991 | Washington | Commanders 20-7 | 27 | Mark Rypien: 2 TD passes |
| December 13, 2020 | Chicago | Bears 41-21 | 62 | Mitchell Trubisky: 3 TD passes |
Statistical Breakdown and Trends
Examining the statistical trends reveals fascinating patterns in this rivalry. During home games, the Bears have maintained a significant advantage, winning 16 of 27 games at Soldier Field and the old Wrigley Field (59.3% win rate). Washington has performed better at home but still trails with a 12-15 record when hosting the Bears at Griffith Stadium, RFK Stadium, FedExField, and Northwest Stadium. The single tie in the series occurred on November 27, 1960, when the teams battled to a 17-17 draw in Washington.
Offensive production has remained relatively balanced over the decades. The Bears have scored 1,247 total points across all meetings (23.1 points per game average), while Washington has tallied 1,198 points (22.2 points per game average). This narrow 49-point differential over 54 games demonstrates how evenly matched these franchises have been historically. The Bears have been shut out twice in the series (1937 and 1942), while Washington has been blanked three times (1940, 1963, and 1977).
The coaching matchups have featured some of the greatest minds in football history. George Halas went 11-8-1 against Washington coaches during his four separate stints leading the Bears from 1920-1967. Joe Gibbs, who led Washington to three Super Bowl victories, posted a 3-2 record against the Bears during his first tenure from 1981-1992. Mike Ditka, the architect of the 1985 Bears championship, went 2-1 against Washington during his time in Chicago from 1982-1992. More recently, Matt Nagy went 2-0 against Washington from 2018-2021, while current Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is 1-0 after a 2022 victory.
According to research from the National Football Foundation, both franchises rank among the top programs for producing Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. The Bears have 30 Hall of Famers associated with their franchise, including legends like Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, and Mike Singletary. Washington claims 28 Hall of Famers, including Sammy Baugh, John Riggins, and Darrell Green. When these talent-rich organizations meet, the games often showcase future Hall of Fame players at their peak performance levels.
| Decade | Bears Wins | Commanders Wins | Ties | Bears Avg Points | Commanders Avg Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | 2 | 0 | 18.4 | 9.1 |
| 1940s | 5 | 4 | 0 | 28.7 | 17.2 |
| 1950s | 2 | 2 | 0 | 24.5 | 21.8 |
| 1960s | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19.3 | 18.7 |
| 1970s | 3 | 3 | 0 | 18.2 | 17.5 |
| 1980s | 4 | 2 | 0 | 21.8 | 19.3 |
| 1990s | 2 | 3 | 0 | 17.6 | 23.4 |
| 2000s | 2 | 3 | 0 | 19.8 | 22.6 |
| 2010s | 1 | 3 | 0 | 20.5 | 28.8 |
| 2020s | 1 | 1 | 0 | 31.0 | 21.0 |
Modern Era and Future Outlook
The rivalry has evolved considerably in recent years as both franchises have experienced periods of rebuilding and transformation. Washington's 2022 rebranding to the Commanders marked a new chapter for the franchise, while the Bears continue to build around young talent while honoring their historic legacy. The teams met most recently on October 5, 2023, when the Commanders defeated the Bears 40-20 in a Thursday Night Football matchup at FedExField, with quarterback Sam Howell throwing for 388 yards.
Both organizations face similar challenges entering the mid-2020s: developing young quarterbacks, building competitive rosters in a salary cap era, and maintaining relevance in an increasingly competitive NFC. The Bears selected quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick in 2021 and later traded up to select Caleb Williams first overall in 2024. Washington has cycled through numerous quarterbacks since Robert Griffin III's promising rookie season in 2012, most recently committing to Jayden Daniels as their franchise quarterback after selecting him second overall in 2024.
According to attendance data from ESPN, both franchises maintain strong fan bases despite recent struggles. The Bears averaged 61,142 fans per home game during the 2023 season at Soldier Field, which seats 61,500. Washington averaged 57,211 fans at Northwest Stadium, demonstrating that both organizations retain significant supporter loyalty even during rebuilding phases. This passionate fan engagement ensures that future meetings between these teams will continue to generate interest and intensity.
The scheduling format implemented in 2002, which guarantees each NFC team plays every other NFC team at least once every three years, ensures more frequent meetings than occurred in earlier decades. For detailed information about NFL scheduling procedures and historical records, fans can consult resources from the Smithsonian Institution, which houses extensive professional football archives. Additional statistical analysis can be found through Sports Reference databases and the official NFL record books maintained by Elias Sports Bureau. Understanding the complete history of this matchup provides context for appreciating each new chapter as these historic franchises continue their on-field battles. For more information, visit our FAQ or About Us pages.
| Date | Location | Final Score | Attendance | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 24, 2018 | Chicago | Bears 31-15 | 61,004 | Khalil Mack: 1 sack, 1 FF |
| December 24, 2020 | Chicago | Bears 41-21 | Limited | David Montgomery: 2 rushing TD |
| October 13, 2022 | Washington | Bears 12-7 | 57,212 | Combined 5 field goals |
| October 5, 2023 | Washington | Commanders 40-20 | 61,118 | Sam Howell: 388 pass yards |