RFK Stadium - Bears coach Mike Ditka had suffered a heart attack 11 days before the game, but it was the Redskins who were in ill health after it. Ditka was calmly roaming the RFK Stadium sidelines during the game as his team dismantled Washington. The home team's playoff hopes, already on the critical list, were on life support.

The Bears jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Mike Tomczak went a combined seven for seven on two touchdown drives, one of which ended on one-yard run by Tomczak, the other on a three-yard blast by fullback Matt Suhey. Two Kevin Butler field goals provided Chicago with the 20-point cushion.