Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields sported a tiny minimize above his left eye when he spoke with reporters late Monday at Gillette Stadium, a gash from being sandwiched between two New England Patriots defenders on a giant second-quarter play.
When defensive lineman Deatrich Smart Jr. charged together with his arms raised, Fields adjusted his arm angle and slipped a brief cross to Khalil Herbert. The working again cruised 25 yards untouched into the top zone to provide the Bears a lead they by no means relinquished in a 33-14 victory.
Fields didn’t see Herbert get into the top zone as a result of Smart and one other Patriots defender smashed into him concurrently, leaving the gash, however he definitely felt the momentum surge that got here with it.
The landing began a run of 23 unanswered factors because the Bears earned their first win towards the Patriots in New England in franchise historical past.
“That was our second time working that play. The primary time, the ball acquired batted down,” Fields stated. “The D-end got here working free, so I noticed him and I sort of pump-faked it and went sidearmed a little bit bit.
“We work on that in follow, maneuvering the screens across the D-end. It was an amazing catch and run by Khalil and actually an amazing play name and nice execution by all people.”
Eleven days after expressing frustration a few tough 12-7 loss to the Washington Commanders on “Thursday Evening Soccer,” Fields was in a a lot totally different place Monday, caught on digital camera dancing and smiling in the course of the nationally televised broadcast.
Bears coaches and gamers made good use of the additional time between video games, crafting a powerful recreation plan that featured extra designed runs for Fields, together with a 3-yard landing run that put the Bears up 10-0 within the first quarter.
He had 14 carries for 82 yards and the landing and accomplished 13 of 21 passes for 179 yards with a landing and an interception.
Fields stated he was happy with the plan coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and different coaches put collectively, saying they “introduced an entire totally different component to our offense.”
“It makes our offense extra advanced, getting us out of the pocket, extra designed quarterback runs,” Fields stated. “It opens it up a little bit bit extra. So simply doing lots of various things on offense.”
Fields additionally made some spectacular throws on the transfer and scrambles, together with a 20-yard scurry on third-and-14 on the Bears’ remaining drive of the primary half to get them to the Patriots 21-yard line. Bears kicker Cairo Santos made his second of 4 subject targets to enter halftime up 20-14. The Bears had been 11-for-18 on third down.
“Each time he does one thing like that, I’m in awe,” Herbert stated. “He’s particular, and he continues to point out it.”
It was a part of an evening through which the Bears amassed 243 dashing yards and 390 complete yards. Herbert had 12 carries for 62 yards, David Montgomery had 15 carries for 62 yards and large receiver Dante Pettis had a 29-yard carry.
The efficiency was an apparent constructing block for an offense that lower than two weeks earlier was the topic of ridicule for its lack of ability to get in the long run zone in three red-zone alternatives in Week 6.
“While you take a look at what we did with Justin and the run recreation and designed runs, that was lots of enjoyable. After which being environment friendly within the cross recreation,” tight finish Cole Kmet stated. “Everybody will get tied up in eager to throw for 400 yards each recreation, and clearly that’s actually cool. I would like that and receivers need that, like, that will be candy for everyone.
“However on the finish of the day, our strengths as a crew are with the ability to run the soccer. We’ve acquired a quarterback who can run and run bodily, and he’s a troublesome child who is ready to rise up and hold going. And when the passes come, he executes on them. It’s one thing we will lean into.”
Afterward Eberflus stated it was necessary for his crew’s confidence to place collectively a whole recreation in entrance of a nationwide viewers. However he and Fields had been cautious to notice there’s extra work forward, particularly towards the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on a brief week of follow.
“Simply the resilience, you realize,” Fields stated. “All people was devastated after the (Commanders) loss, and the best way we fought and the best way we ready all through the week, guys had been locked in via conferences, via walk-throughs.
“And just about our motto this week was ‘end the whole lot,’ whether or not it was in follow … end the day centered in and locked in on conferences. I’m pleased with all people the best way they ready this week and the best way they carried out at the moment.”
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