The Chicago Bears rolled early Thursday night en route to a commanding (pun intended) 27-3 halftime lead. Justin Fields continued a hot streak with three first-half touchdown passes. And D.J. Moore racked up two touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving on just five catches in under 16 minutes of play. But soon, with one of the NFL’s worst defenses, Chicago was trying to stem the tide of a furious Washington Commanders rally. (Never mind that Ron Rivera seemed weirdly interested in helping Chicago out.)
After Washington brought the margin to 27-14, the Bears went to a familiar well — Moore, their No. 1 receiver. He beat Kendall Fuller on a short curl route and found himself with nothing but green grass in front of him. For a moment, it looked like he’d streak away for a decisive score.
Except the officials curiously blew the play dead. Why? They thought Moore stepped out of bounds. Uh … did he?
DJ wanted even Moore. #CHIvsWAS on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YCeYJnyJmB pic.twitter.com/DsCFQjstjV— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2023
I know the initial camera angle isn’t entirely clear, but that felt like a pretty consequential play at the time. Is it really impossible to see another better view?
DJ Moore was LIVID that he was ruled out here pic.twitter.com/Pc1TUTxY1v
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) October 6, 2023
That wasn’t any better! There is someone literally standing in front of the camera at the key moment. Given that the Bears were trying to hold off the Commanders and this play grew in consequence as a result, it feels negligible that someone didn’t have another quality view of the play.
Fortunately for Moore, he’d later put the icing on the cake for the Bears in their first win of the 2023 season:
🎩 DJ MOORE
🎩 DJ MOORE
🎩 DJ MOOREA hat trick in his 5th game as a Bear! @idjmoore#CHIvsWAS on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YCeYJnyJmB pic.twitter.com/llD1Ppb7vb— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2023
I suppose that’s what great players do, though: They erase all doubt when they get the opportunity. In this case, Moore had eight catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns. That’s how you make up for any poor perceived officiating.
This is how Twitter reacted
DJ Moore can magically step out of bounds, but I guess he can’t be interfered with. 😂👌
— Will DeWitt (@Wi11DeWitt) October 6, 2023
Government conspiracy going on not showing if DJ Moore actually stepped out of bounds
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 6, 2023
Wow…I think the Bears just got screwed out of a monster touchdown right there. I didn't see DJ Moore step out of bounds, and he had Mooney blocking out in front of him.
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) October 6, 2023
Doesn’t look like #Bears wide receiver DJ Moore stepped out of bounds on this play. pic.twitter.com/Aee91qu4e9
— Usayd Koshul (@usaydkoshul) October 6, 2023
Are we absolutely certain DJ Moore was out of bounds?
— Chris Rongey (@ChrisRongey) October 6, 2023
I’m still thinking about DJ Moore being called for stepping out of bounds when they never showed a replay of him doing it
— Nick Palazzolo (@NickPalazzolo5) October 6, 2023
Imagine what DJ Moore’s stat line would look like if they didn’t call him out of bounds
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) October 6, 2023
Are we sure DJ Moore stepped out of bounds?
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) October 6, 2023
I never saw DJ Moore step out of bounds
— Zach Brook (@ZBrook) October 6, 2023
