The Bears were significant favorites coming into this game, having mounted a strong defense of their 1985 Super Bowl title and 14-2 record in 1986. Washington played a disciplined game, making Chicago pay for a series of mistakes, and stunned the confident defending champions.

The Redskins set the tone early, beating the aggressive Chicago blitz for Monk TD reception. The Bears answered with a strong second quarter, and pulled out to a 13-7 lead led by a long TD pass of their own.

Chicago's offense gave up multiple turnovers in the second half, though, making things difficult for their vaunted defense. First, Flutie threw an INT to Darrel Green deep in Chicago territory, setting up another Monk TD and giving Washington the lead for good. In the fourth quarter, a rare Walter Payton fumble ended another Chicago drive, and the Skins mounted a long drive for another TD that made it a two score game at 21-13. The Bears could not muster another scoring threat, and two more Redskins FGs padded the lead to end the game.