When you think about the Chicago Bears and the team now known as the Washington Commanders, your brain probably goes straight to that 73-0 blowout in 1940. It’s the game every historian cites. But honestly? That one game—while hilarious if you’re from Illinois and traumatic if you’re from D.C.—actually obscures a much deeper, weirder, and more physical history between these two franchises. For decades, the Chicago Bears Washington Redskins matchup wasn't just a game on the schedule; it was a clash of philosophies between the Midwest's "Monsters of the Midway" and the capital's more polished, often high-flying identity.
Football has changed. A lot. But if you look at the tape from the 80s or even the early 90s, these two teams basically spent three hours trying to delete each other from existence. It was beautiful. It was brutal.
Why the Chicago Bears Washington Redskins History is So Polarizing
To get why this matters, you have to look at George Halas and George Preston Marshall. These guys didn't just own teams; they shaped the entire NFL. Halas was the gritty, blue-collar visionary. Marshall was the showman who brought marching bands and pageantry to the sport. When the Chicago Bears Washington Redskins met in the early days, it was a culture war.
Most people forget that before they were in Washington, they were the Boston Redskins. They moved in 1937, and immediately, the sparks flew. The 1937 Championship game saw Sammy Baugh—the legendary "Slingin' Sammy"—shred the Bears' defense. It was a shock to the system. People thought you couldn't pass like that in the cold. Baugh proved them wrong. He threw for 335 yards, which in 1937 was basically like throwing for 600 yards today.
That 73-0 Game and the Disrespect That Fueled It
Let’s talk about 1940. This is the peak of the Chicago Bears Washington Redskins lore. A few weeks before the championship, Washington beat Chicago 7-3. After that game, Marshall (Washington's owner) called the Bears "crybabies" and "quitters."
Bad move.
George Halas kept those newspaper clippings. He plastered them all over the locker room. When the rematch happened for the title, the Bears didn't just win; they dismantled the very concept of Washington football. They ran the T-formation to perfection. They scored so many touchdowns they actually ran out of footballs because they kept kicking them into the stands for extra points. Officials literally asked Halas to stop kicking extra points because they didn't have any more balls left in the bag.
That game remains the largest margin of victory in NFL history. It’s a record that will likely never be broken because, well, modern coaches usually have the mercy to pull their starters before it hits 70. Halas had no mercy.
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The Gibbs vs. Ditka Era: Peak Physicality
Fast forward to the 1980s. This is where the rivalry got really interesting for the modern era. You had Mike Ditka in Chicago and Joe Gibbs in Washington. Two different styles, same result: total dominance.
In 1984, the Bears were the rising force. They met Washington in the divisional playoffs. Washington was the defending NFC champ. Chicago went into RFK Stadium—one of the loudest, most intimidating places to play—and pulled off an upset. This was the game where the world realized the '85 Bears were coming. Wilbur Marshall, Mike Singletary, and that 46 Defense started their reign of terror right there in D.C.
Then came 1986 and 1987.
In '86, Washington got their revenge. They knocked the defending champion Bears out of the playoffs. It was a bitter, cold game at Soldier Field. Jay Schroeder outplayed Jim McMahon’s backups. In '87, they did it again. Darrell Green, arguably the fastest man to ever put on cleats, ripped off a legendary 52-yard punt return touchdown while literally clutching his side because of a torn rib muscle. He hurdled a guy and kept going. That play effectively ended the Bears' era of dominance.
It’s sorta wild to think about. Washington was the "Bears Slayer" for those couple of years. Without Joe Gibbs, the 80s Bears might have had three rings instead of one.
The Darrell Green Factor
You can't talk about these games without mentioning Darrell Green. He was a constant thorn in Chicago’s side. Most cornerbacks are afraid of getting hit by a powerhouse like Walter Payton or Neal Anderson. Green? He just ran them down.
His longevity was insane. He played 20 seasons. Think about that. He was playing against the Bears when they were coached by Ditka, and he was still playing against them when Dick Jauron was the coach. That kind of consistency is why Washington fans still wear his #28 jersey more than almost any other.
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Breaking Down the Modern Matchups
In the last 20 years, the Chicago Bears Washington Redskins games have been a bit more chaotic. We’ve seen some weird ones.
Remember 2013? A 45-41 shootout. It felt like nobody wanted to play defense. Devonte Bellamy and Alfred Morris were trading blows. It was the complete opposite of the 1940 game. Then you have the 2019 Monday Night Football massacre where Mitchell Trubisky actually looked like an All-Pro for exactly three hours. He threw three touchdowns to Taylor Gabriel in one half.
The fans were stunned. Washington fans were calling for Jay Gruden's head. Bears fans thought they finally had their franchise QB. (Spoilers: they didn't).
But that’s the beauty of this specific pairing. It’s unpredictable. Whether it's a defensive struggle in the mud or a high-scoring track meet, these teams tend to play "down to the wire" games that defy whatever the Vegas spread says.
Real Talk: Why the Record Favors Washington
If you look at the all-time series, Washington actually holds a slight lead. Why? Because they’ve historically been more stable at the quarterback position during their peak years. While the Bears were rotating through guys like Bob Avellini, Mike Tomczak, and a dozen others, Washington had theismann, Williams, and Rypien.
The Bears have always relied on the "Monster" defense. Washington relied on "The Hogs"—that massive offensive line that dominated the trenches. When a great defensive line meets a great offensive line, the game usually comes down to one or two explosive plays. Historically, Washington found those plays more often in the postseason.
What Fans Get Wrong About the 1940 Championship
People think the 73-0 game was just a talent gap. It wasn't. It was a schematic revolution.
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The Bears used the "T-Formation" with a man in motion. At the time, most teams used the Single Wing. Washington had no idea how to defend the motion. It’s basically the ancestor of the modern spread and motion offenses we see from teams like the Dolphins or Chiefs today.
George Halas was a football genius who was mad. That’s a dangerous combination. He didn't just want to win; he wanted to prove that his new way of playing football was the future. He succeeded. By 1941, almost every team in the league was trying to copy what Chicago did in that game.
Key Statistics and Notorious Moments
- Most Points Scored: 73 (Chicago, 1940)
- Longest Winning Streak: Washington held a 7-game streak against Chicago from 2004 to 2016.
- The "Fog" Factor: While the "Fog Bowl" was against the Eagles, the Bears and Washington have played in some of the worst weather conditions in NFL history, including freezing rain games that saw a combined 10+ turnovers.
One of the most underrated games was in 2012. It wasn't a playoff game, but it featured Robert Griffin III at the height of his "RG3 Magic" taking on a very veteran Bears defense. The speed on the field that day was staggering. It showed the shift from the old-school ground-and-pound to the mobile-QB era.
How to Analyze Future Matchups
When these two teams meet now, the names on the jerseys have changed, but the pressure remains. If you’re looking to understand how a modern Chicago vs. Washington game will go, ignore the "all-time series" stats for a second. Look at these three specific things:
- The Turnover Margin at Soldier Field: If the game is in Chicago, the wind is a genuine 12th man. Washington quarterbacks historically struggle with the "Solider Field swirl."
- The "Hogs" Legacy vs. the "Monsters": Usually, the team that wins the battle within two yards of the line of scrimmage wins this game. It’s rarely about the wide receivers.
- Mid-Season Momentum: Both franchises have a habit of being "streaky." Catching them in October is a different beast than catching them in December.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are betting on or analyzing this matchup, stop looking at the 1940 blowout or even the 80s highlights. Focus on the current offensive line health.
- Check the Injury Report for Guards and Centers: Since both teams historically build through the trenches, a backup center for the Bears against a healthy Washington interior defensive line is a recipe for a blowout.
- Watch the Weather: If the wind is over 15 mph in Chicago, the Bears have a disproportionate advantage because of their familiarity with the kicking angles.
- Study the Turnover Differential: In their last 10 meetings, the team that won the turnover battle won the game 90% of the time.
The Chicago Bears Washington Redskins (Commanders) history is a mirror of the NFL itself. It started with leather helmets and owners who hated each other, moved into an era of tactical genius in the 80s, and has settled into a modern rivalry defined by rebuilding and hope. Whether it's 73-0 or a 10-9 slog, this is a matchup that deserves more respect than it gets in the national media. It is the story of the NFL's growth, one bruised rib and one muddy jersey at a time.