When Chicago Bears (2‑2) travel to face the Washington Commanders (3‑2) at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, the stakes feel more like a playoff preview than a Week 6 clash. The game kicks off Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC, and the betting market is already buzzing with contradictory lines. Here’s why this matchup matters, how the odds are shaping up, and which player props are turning heads.
Background: Teams Find Their Rhythm
The Bears have clawed back to a .500 record after two straight wins, snapping a three‑game skid that had fans muttering about a rebuild. Quarterback Caleb Williams—the Heisman‑trophy darling—has finally shown the poise you’d expect from a first‑round pick, posting 312 yards and two touchdowns in the last two outings.
Meanwhile, the Commanders rode a dramatic Week 5 comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, erasing a 10‑0 deficit to claim a 27‑24 victory. Their new signal‑caller, Jayden Daniels, threw for 298 yards and a clutch fourth‑quarter touchdown that left the Chargers stunned. The win lifted Washington to 3‑2, nudging them one game ahead of Chicago in the NFC East‑North rivalry.
Both squads are 3‑1 against the spread, meaning sportsbooks think they’re strong in beating the bookmakers’ expectations. That parity is why Monday’s Monday Night Football clash could swing the early‑season momentum dramatically.
Betting Lines & Predictions: A Tale of Two Books
According to BetMGM Sportsbook—as quoted by Jeremy Cluff of The Arizona Republic—the Commanders are a 4‑point favorite with a -210 moneyline. The total sits at 49.5 points, with over at -115 and under at -105.
Action Network’s line paints a starker picture: Commanders at –5.5 on the spread, -265 moneyline, and a slightly lower total of 48.5 points (over -115, under -105). Their staff recommends the Bears +5.5 at -105, Bears moneyline +220, and the over at 48.5.
Two independent forecasts illustrate the split thinking. The Arizona Republic predicts a nail‑biter, 31‑30 Commanders win, while Capperspicks.com leans toward a 31‑24 Commanders victory. Both agree the game will be high‑scoring, which aligns with the over/under hovering near 50 points.
Player Props Spotlight: Whose Stats Matter Most?
Action Network highlights four players for prop bets. Wide receiver Rome Odunze (Bears) is listed at +145 to score an anytime touchdown—an appealing value given his red‑zone usage in the past two weeks.
Commanders’ wing‑receiver DJ Moore is a potential over/under target at 74 receiving yards, while the Bears’ sideline speedster Deebo Samuel is projected for 71 yards. Finally, Jacory Croskey‑Merritt, a rookie safety for Washington, could see his tackle total dip below 5.5—a prop that savvy bettors are eyeing.
Why these names? Odunze has caught three touchdowns in his last four games, contradicting the general perception that Chicago’s passing attack is still finding rhythm. Moore, despite a rocky start to the season, has averaged 78 yards per game, making the 74‑yard mark a realistic over. Samuel, returning from a hamstring strain, is finally back to full speed, and Croskey‑Merritt’s snap‑count has been a question mark since he fell out of the rotation in Week 4.
Broadcast & Viewing Details
The showdown will air live on ABC, with a simulcast on the streaming platform FUBO for cord‑cutters. For fans in the Pacific Time Zone, kickoff is at 5:15 p.m. local, ensuring a post‑work viewing window. The stadium’s new LED scoreboard will showcase real‑time betting odds—a novelty that could make the 2‑hour game feel like a live odds‑tracking experience for the tech‑savvy crowd.
Implications for the Playoff Race
If the Commanders pull off a win, they move to 4‑2 and gain a crucial tiebreaker over the New York Giants, who sit at 4‑2 after their Week 6 victory. For Chicago, a loss drops them to 2‑3 and forces a must‑win scenario in their next three games to stay in the NFC North conversation.
Analysts at Action Network argue that the spread is too generous for Washington. If the Bears stay within five points, the betting market could swing dramatically in the next week, as oddsmakers adjust to a Bears offense that appears to be peaking early in the season.
On the other side, a victory for Washington would solidify Jayden Daniels’ status as a top‑tier quarterback. Draft experts note that a strong Week 6 could raise his draft stock for the next season’s college‑to‑NFL transition, although that’s a long‑term storyline.
Historical Context: Monday Night Football’s High‑Scoring Legacy
Monday night games have produced some of the NFL’s most memorable shootouts. The 2015 45‑45 tie between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, and the 2022 38‑35 Steelers‑Ravens thriller, both edged past the 40‑point threshold. The current over/under of 48.5 points hints that the league’s offensive evolution continues to outpace defensive adjustments.
For the Bears, the last time they played a Monday night in Landover was 2019, a 31‑28 loss that is still fresh in older fans’ memories. The Commanders, meanwhile, have never lost a Monday night at Northwest Stadium—a small but intriguing sample size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bears vs. Commanders game affect each team’s playoff chances?
A Commanders win pushes them to 4‑2, giving them a tiebreaker edge in the NFC East and keeping them in the top‑four wild‑card conversation. A Bears victory narrows the gap in the NFC North, but a loss drops Chicago to 2‑3, making a postseason berth more demanding.
What are the key differences between the betting lines from BetMGM and Action Network?
BetMGM lists Washington as a 4‑point favorite with a -210 moneyline, while Action Network has them at -5.5 points and a -265 moneyline. The total also differs: 49.5 points on BetMGM versus 48.5 on Action Network, reflecting slightly divergent expectations about scoring.
Which player prop offers the best value for bettors?
Rome Odunze’s anytime touchdown at +145 is considered high‑value. He’s caught three TDs in his last four games, and the odds don’t fully reflect his red‑zone involvement, making it a standout pick.
Will the over/under be hit in this high‑scoring matchup?
Both teams have averaged over 27 points per game this season and both defenses rank in the bottom half of the league. Historically, Monday night games exceed the projected total, so the over at 48.5 points carries a strong probability.
How does the venue, Northwest Stadium, influence the game?
Northwest Stadium’s open‑air design can lead to wind‑affected passing games. However, recent weather forecasts show calm conditions for Monday night, minimizing any adverse impact and favoring the aerial attacks of both Daniels and Williams.