Bears vs. Commanders Live Updates: Inactives, “Game Tonight” Details, and a Sharp Prediction for Monday Night Football

A Monday Night Football doubleheader closes Week 6 with Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders under the primetime lights on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 (8:15 p.m. ET). With both teams hovering near the .500 mark, tonight’s game is a leverage point in the NFC playoff picture and a showcase for two young franchise quarterbacks with very different styles.

Bears game tonight: kickoff, TV/stream, radio

• Kickoff: Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 — 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 CT)

• TV/Streaming (U.S.): National MNF broadcast with streaming on the network’s authenticated app

• Local radio: Bears flagship in Chicago; Commanders flagship in Washington; national audio feed also available

Commanders vs. Bears inactives: who’s playing, who’s not

The final inactives sheet tilted the chessboard just before kickoff:

• Washington Commanders: Headline news at wide receiver creates immediate target share reshuffling. Expect Olamide Zaccheaus to see a spike in snaps and schemed touches, with vertical duty and motion usage to help the Commanders stress Chicago’s leverage rules. Washington also leans on a deep tight end rotation to keep its play-action game intact.

• Chicago Bears: DJ Moore carries a full workload with no last-minute setbacks. That stabilizes Chicago’s route tree—deep comebacks, glance routes off play action, and RPO slants that put his YAC skills on stage. Rookie perimeter threats expand the field horizontally, but Moore remains the timing and trust valve for the passing game.

What it means tactically: Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels, two different problems

Chicago offense vs. Washington defense
The Bears’ plan starts with clean pictures for Caleb Williams: early down rhythm throws to Moore and the tight ends, then layered crossers once the run action earns honest safety depth. Watch for condensed splits and motion to protect releases; when Washington sits two-high, Chicago will steal cheap yards with option keepers and designed rollouts. The hidden lever is protection versatility—max protect on shot downs, chip-and-release on money downs—to keep Williams out of third-and-long.

Washington offense vs. Chicago defense
The Commanders want to turn this into a spacing clinic for Jayden Daniels: quick game to the boundary, play-action seams, and keeper runs that force Chicago’s linebackers to declare. With WR roles shifting, Zaccheaus becomes the conflict piece—jet motion, orbit action, and deep-over routes that pair with bootlegs. If Washington can dent the edges on outside zone and hit a couple of early explosives, Chicago’s nickel will have to loosen, opening choice routes and angle concepts for backs and tight ends.

Bears vs. Commanders prediction: line, matchup edges, and a score pick

Market shape: Washington’s strong home form and defensive efficiency have drawn modest favorite status, but Chicago arrives off a bye-rested stretch with two straight wins and a more coherent early-down identity. The total projects a live, back-and-forth script rather than a rock fight.

Why the Bears can cover/upset

• DJ Moore leverage: With Moore healthy, Chicago’s RPO/glance menu punishes off coverage and keeps Williams on schedule.

• QB mobility: Designed keepers and scramble rules force Washington to dedicate a spy, lightening the box for the run game.

• Explosive containment trending up: Chicago’s defense has trimmed busted coverages the last two outings, particularly against deep-over/post combinations.

Why the Commanders can cover

• Pass-rush layers: Multiple interior and edge looks create five one-on-ones; if Chicago loses early-down protection, the sticks tilt.

• Quarterback run conflict: Daniels’ keeper game stresses Chicago’s force/fit rules and can flip field position even when structure stalls.

• Role players rising: Zaccheaus is a classic MNF swing piece—motion, stacks, and slot fades that show up in red-zone sequencing.

Pick: In a game that swings on third-down creation and explosive prevention, the healthier WR1 and a slightly cleaner red-zone script tip the balance.
Bears 27, Commanders 24 — Chicago + points, slight lean to the Over in a fourth-quarter coin flip.

Player spotlights: DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus

• DJ Moore (Bears): Expect double-digit targets with slants, glance routes, and crossers that let him break tackles after the catch. If Chicago sees bracket coverage, he’ll become the motion decoy to spring the rookie on deep shots.

• Olamide Zaccheaus (Commanders): Utility wideout with downfield speed and returner agility. On scripted series, watch for him in stacks/bunch to win free releases, then for slot fades or deep-over concepts off boot action.

Commanders schedule & Bears schedule: why this week matters

Both teams sit at the hinge of their October gauntlets. Washington faces a rugged run of defenses over the next few weeks and can’t afford to drop a home primetime spot; Chicago exits the bye into a stretch with limited margin—banking a road win tonight keeps the playoff math friendly. In short: tonight is a tone-setter for how November will feel.

Live-update beats to watch during the game

1. Early-down success rate: If either side lives in second-and-short, the whole call sheet opens.

2. QB keeper explosives: One misfit on the edge can become a 25-yard swing and a live total.

3. Red-zone sequencing: Watch for Chicago’s tight-split picks to Moore and Washington’s play-action TE leaks.

4. Special teams field position: With depth chart shuffles at WR, return roles can flip a quarter.

The Bears-Commanders primetime meeting checks every box—quarterback intrigue, WR headline value (DJ Moore), and a potential breakout spark from Olamide Zaccheaus. Expect a possession-by-possession game with late fireworks; our lean is Bears + points and a one-score Chicago win.