The Washington Commanders pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping wins of the 2024 NFL season. In Week 8, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels stunned the Chicago Bears with a last-second Hail Mary touchdown. The play lifted Washington to an 18–15 win, sparked national headlines, and gave fans a moment they’ll never forget. This Commanders Hail Mary wasn’t just a win—it was a turning point in the season, and possibly the start of a new legacy.
A Rookie’s Big Moment
Jayden Daniels entered Week 8 under pressure. He had already shown flashes of brilliance through the first half of his rookie year, but this game was different. The Commanders had struggled for most of the afternoon against a tough Bears defense. With under 20 seconds left and Washington down 15–12, the rookie faced a do-or-die moment from midfield.
Daniels first completed a short pass to Terry McLaurin to reach the 48-yard line. With just six seconds on the clock and no timeouts left, there was only one option: a Hail Mary.
The Commanders Hail Mary That Shocked the NFL
The play began with Daniels evading pressure, sliding to his left to buy time. From nearly 50 yards out, he launched a deep ball into a crowded end zone. Several defenders jumped for it. The ball was tipped at the goal line by Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
But instead of falling incomplete, it dropped perfectly into the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown. Touchdown. Game over.
FedEx Field erupted. Players stormed the end zone. Daniels dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion. After the game, JD5 simply said, “Nothing but God,” when asked how it happened.
Historic by Every Standard
This was no ordinary last-second win. The Commanders Hail Mary was the first game-winning throw of its kind in the NFL since Kyler Murray’s “Hail Murray” in 2020. Even more remarkable, Daniels became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to win a game on a walk-off Hail Mary.
It will surely be a candidate for “2024 NFL Play of the Year”.
Jayden Daniels’ game-winning Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears on October 27, 2024, was a remarkable display of poise and athleticism. According to Next Gen Stats, Daniels held onto the ball for 12.79 seconds before releasing the 52-yard touchdown pass to Noah Brown. This marked the first touchdown pass with a time to throw over 10 seconds since Next Gen Stats began tracking such metrics in 2016 .
The Fallout in Chicago
The Bears didn’t handle the loss well. Tyrique Stevenson, the defensive back who tipped the pass, had taunted Commanders fans just before the final snap. After the game, he was benched and demoted by the coaching staff. The incident sparked tension inside the Bears locker room and drew criticism from fans and media alike.
In contrast, the Commanders were unified and fired up. The win pushed their record to 6–2 and gave the team its best start since 2008.
Commanders 18, Bears 15 – Official Box Score (Week 8)
Momentum Shift for Washington
This win will do more than improve the standings. It validates Jayden Daniels as the real deal. His ability to stay calm, extend plays, and deliver in the biggest moment will silence whatever critics are left. The Commanders Hail Mary wasn’t luck—it was a product of Daniels’ talent and poise.
Head coach Dan Quinn praised his rookie QB after the game. “He didn’t blink,” Quinn said. “That’s why he’s here. That’s why we believe in him.”
The win also boosted confidence across the roster. Players like Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson Jr. called it the most exciting finish of their careers.
Final Thoughts On The Commanders Hail Mary
The Commanders Hail Mary in Week 8 will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2024 season—and possibly the beginning of a new era. For a franchise long haunted by inconsistency and missed chances, this miracle finish offered something rare: pure, unfiltered joy.
Jayden Daniels didn’t just throw a touchdown. He threw a message to the entire NFL.
Washington is back.