Game story
In Week 1 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-11, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 9–7 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Orton (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -4.56 total EPA.
On the individual side, S. Moss (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-26.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (:17) 18-K.Orton pass intended for 87-M.Muhammad INTERCEPTED by 98-L.Marshall (57-W.Holdman) at WAS -1. 98-L.Marshall to WAS 6 for 7 yards (87-M.Muhammad).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Washington Commanders | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.04 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.26 EPA/play
- 2 M. Muhammad · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 3 J. Thrash · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 4 M. Bradley · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.01 EPA/play
- 5 J. Gage · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.55 EPA/play
- 6 D. Clark · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 7 D. Patten · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 8 R. Royal · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
S. Moss — WAS · Receiving
S. Moss posted the highest total EPA (+9.04) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.26 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.95 EPA) came from Washington Commanders: 10-D.Brien kicks 66 yards from CHI 30 to WAS 4. 86-A.Brown to WAS 20 for 16 yards (94-B.Ayanbadejo). FUMBLES (94-B.Ayanbadejo), RECOVERED by CHI-59-J.Odom at WAS 23. 59-J.Odom to WAS 23 for no gain (73-R.Boschetti).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Chicago Bears — T. Jones
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — J. Hall
- Washington Commanders — J. Hall
- Washington Commanders — J. Hall
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 6–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the CHI 22 (Q2 37:39) — (7:39) 10-J.Hall 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the CHI 25 (Q2 31:05) — (1:05) 10-J.Hall 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom..
The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–3. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q3 26:33) — (11:33) 20-T.Jones right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 26:28) — 10-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the CHI 1 (Q3 17:57) — (2:57) 10-J.Hall 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Chicago Bears (Q3 15:17) — (:17) 18-K.Orton pass intended for 87-M.Muhammad INTERCEPTED by 98-L.Marshall (57-W.Holdman) at WAS -1. 98-L.Marshall to WAS 6 for 7 yards (87-M.Muhammad).
- Chicago Bears (Q4 1:39) — (1:39) 18-K.Orton sacked at CHI 15 for -5 yards (96-C.Griffin). FUMBLES (96-C.Griffin), RECOVERED by WAS-96-C.Griffin at CHI 15. 96-C.Griffin to CHI 15 for no gain (60-T.Metcalf).
- Washington Commanders (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) 2-A.Groom punts 39 yards to end zone, Center-71-E.Albright, Touchback.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 30:00) — 10-D.Brien kicks 66 yards from CHI 30 to WAS 4. 86-A.Brown to WAS 20 for 16 yards (94-B.Ayanbadejo). FUMBLES (94-B.Ayanbadejo), RECOVERED by CHI-59-J.Odom at WAS 23. 59-J.Odom to WAS 23 for no gain (7
- Washington Commanders (Q2 38:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 8-M.Brunell pass intended for 89-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 31-N.Vasher at CHI 27. 31-N.Vasher to WAS 18 for 55 yards (61-C.Rabach). PENALTY on CHI-43-M.Green, Defensive Pass Interference,
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 30:00) — 10-D.Brien kicks 66 yards from CHI 30 to WAS 4. 86-A.Brown to WAS 20 for 16 yards (94-B.Ayanbadejo). FUMBLES (94-B.Ayanbadejo), RECOVERED by CHI-59-J.Odom at WAS 23. 59-J.Odom to WAS 23 for no gain (7
- Chicago Bears (Q3 15:17) — (:17) 18-K.Orton pass intended for 87-M.Muhammad INTERCEPTED by 98-L.Marshall (57-W.Holdman) at WAS -1. 98-L.Marshall to WAS 6 for 7 yards (87-M.Muhammad).
- Chicago Bears (Q4 1:39) — (1:39) 18-K.Orton sacked at CHI 15 for -5 yards (96-C.Griffin). FUMBLES (96-C.Griffin), RECOVERED by WAS-96-C.Griffin at CHI 15. 96-C.Griffin to CHI 15 for no gain (60-T.Metcalf).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 38:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 8-M.Brunell pass intended for 89-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 31-N.Vasher at CHI 27. 31-N.Vasher to WAS 18 for 55 yards (61-C.Rabach). PENALTY on CHI-43-M.Green, Defensive Pass Interference,
Quarterback report card
K.Orton led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Orton (Chicago Bears) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · -0.14 EPA/play · -4.56 total EPA
- M.Brunell (Washington Commanders) · 16 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.07 EPA/play · +1.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Chicago Bears | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.121 | -0.087 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.2% | 40.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.143 | +0.054 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.276 | -0.095 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.087 | +0.121 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.8% | 58.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Chicago Bears -0.12, Washington Commanders -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Chicago Bears: 10 drives, -8.24 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 11 drives, -7.14 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- S. Moss (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 37:39 · CHI 22 · Score 0-3
(7:39) 10-J.Hall 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 31:05 · CHI 25 · Score 0-6
(1:05) 10-J.Hall 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 26:33 · WAS 1 · Score 6-6
(11:33) 20-T.Jones right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 26:28 · WAS 2 · Score 7-6
10-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q3 17:57 · CHI 1 · Score 7-9
(2:57) 10-J.Hall 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-2-A.Groom.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
The Washington Commanders beat the Chicago Bears 9-7 in Week 1, 2005 on 2005-09-11.
What was the final score of Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Chicago Bears 7, Washington Commanders 9 (CHI 7-9 WAS) in Week 1, 2005 on 2005-09-11.
What was the score by quarter in Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
Q2: Chicago Bears 0, Washington Commanders 6; Q3: Chicago Bears 7, Washington Commanders 3; Final: Chicago Bears 7, Washington Commanders 9.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
Chicago Bears touchdown — T. Jones (Q3 26:33) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q2 37:39, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q2 31:05, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q3 17:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
K. Orton (Chicago Bears), 46.9% completion, -0.14 EPA per dropback, -4.56 total passing EPA. M. Brunell (Washington Commanders), 50.0% completion, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +1.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders?
S. Moss (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +9.04 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.95 EPA): 10-D.Brien kicks 66 yards from CHI 30 to WAS 4. 86-A.Brown to WAS 20 for 16 yards (94-B.Ayanbadejo). FUMBLES (94-B.Ayanbadejo), RECOVERED by CHI-59-J.Odom at WAS 23. 59-J.Odom to W. The biggest win-probability swing was -26.3%.
Was Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Washington Commanders won 9-7 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Chicago Bears
Now 0-1 L
Washington Commanders
Now 1-0 W
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