Thursday was sort of a homecoming for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore. He played collegiately at the University of Maryland which is located just 11 miles north of Commanders’ home stadium, FedEx Field. Also, Moore was drafted by Commanders head coach Ron Rivera when he led the Carolina Panthers in 2018.
With all the factors in tow, Moore put out a career game. He had eight receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns. The yards and touchdowns were both career highs for the sixth-year pro.
Moore scorched the Commanders’ secondary for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the game’s first 16 minutes.
He scored both touchdowns over Commanders veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller. Moore ran a good route, and his quarterback, Justin Fields, delivered two beautiful passes on each touchdown.
Chicago built a 27-3 halftime lead behind DJ Moore’s efforts.
Official robbed DJ Moore of a fourth touchdown
What’s crazy is Moore could have, and probably should have, four touchdowns and more yards. He caught a pass over rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the third quarter and seemingly got loose down the sideline into what was going to be a score. Officials blew the whistle, ruling Moore stepped out of bounds at Washington’s 31-yard line for a 32-yard pickup.
“That really pissed me off because I was about to score. I could’ve had four touchdowns,” Moore said about the ruling, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The play got Forbes benched. It also led to a field goal that extended the Bears’ lead to 30-14.
DJ Moore finished with three touchdowns, all on Commanders CB Kendall Fuller
The Commanders continued to put up a fight and closed the deficit to 30-20. But a missed field goal by kicker Joey Slye with 5:11 remaining left the Commanders’ chances for a comeback faint.
On the ensuing Bears’ offensive possession, Moore put the dagger in the game, beating Fuller for a 48-yard touchdown with just over four minutes remaining.
Fuller tried to make a play jumping the pass by Fields but missed. Moore caught the ball, breaking away for his third touchdown over Fuller.
Most receiving yards allowed by Washington in 57 years
DJ Moore finished with 230 receiving yards, the most allowed by the Washington Football franchise since 1966 when Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes had 246.
Chicago’s offense hung 40 points on Washington’s defense, winning the game by a 40-20 score. Fields finished the game with 282 yards and four touchdowns. Fields completed passes to just three receivers.
The win for Chicago snapped the team’s 14-game losing streak. The loss by Washington leaves more questions about the team’s future with Rivera.
Meanwhile, Moore will remember his return to the DC Metro Area as he had the game of his life.
