Within the press field at Gillette Stadium earlier than Monday night time’s sport towards the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears basic supervisor Ryan Poles instructed reporters what he noticed as the following step for his younger crew.
“For the age of our crew, there have been lots of video games the place we’re knocking on the door to win video games,” Poles stated. “The following step is studying tips on how to end.”
Almost 5 hours later, the Bears granted his want, scoring 23 unanswered factors from late within the second quarter into the fourth quarter to tug off a 33-14 victory over the Patriots.
The sport had some historic significance past the Bears beating the Patriots for the primary time since 2000 and the primary time ever in New England. It prevented Patriots coach Invoice Belichick from passing Bears founder George Halas for sole possession of second place on the all-time wins listing, for per week no less than.
However the significance of the sport for this season was that Justin Fields led the offense to 390 yards — together with 243 on the bottom — and a season excessive in factors.
Fields accomplished 13 of 21 passes for 179 yards with a landing and an interception and had 14 carries for 82 yards and a landing.
Working again Khalil Herbert caught a brief cross from Fields that he become a 25-yard landing within the second quarter. David Montgomery added a 1-yard landing run within the fourth quarter. Every rushed for 62 yards.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made area objectives from 42, 23, 38 and 50 yards to enhance to 11-for-11 on the season.
The Bears protection had two first-half takeaways — rookie Jaquan Brisker’s first profession interception off beginning quarterback Mac Jones and Justin Jones’ fumble restoration — to assist the crew pull to a 20-14 halftime lead.
Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe burst into the sport with two landing drives after changing Jones, who began after a three-game absence on account of an ankle harm. However the Bears shut out the Patriots the remainder of the best way.
Bears linebacker Roquan Smith and rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon added fourth-quarter interceptions of Zappe to assist put the sport away.
Zappe accomplished 14 of twenty-two passes for 185 yards with a landing and the 2 interceptions.
Learn extra protection from the Week 7 win.
- Bears dominate all 3 phases to finish a 3-game skid. Brad Biggs’ 10 ideas on the 33-14 win over the Patriots.
- 23 unanswered factors: How Justin Fields and the Bears offense discovered a sport plan after 10 days of preparation
- Column: Jaquan Brisker and the Bears make a press release that — for one night time anyway — they received’t keep down lengthy
- GM Ryan Poles says studying tips on how to end will likely be key to the Bears’ ascent: ‘We’re on the doorstep’
- Be the primary to learn Brad Biggs’ 10 ideas every week
Right here’s how the sport unfolded.
Inactives introduced
Extensive receiver N’Keal Harry will make his Bears debut after lacking the primary six video games with an ankle harm that required surgical procedure in August.
Harry was cleared to play final week however wasn’t lively after a brief week of apply for a Thursday night time sport. Now with one other week underneath his belt, he’ll debut towards his former crew. The Patriots drafted Harry within the first spherical in 2019 and dealt him to the Bears in June for a 2024 seventh-round decide.
Inactive for the Bears are defensive again Lamar Jackson, defensive lineman Kingsley Jonathan, tight finish Jake Tonges and extensive receiver Isaiah Coulter.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones will return from a three-game absence on account of a excessive ankle sprain and reportedly is predicted to start out.
Jones was restricted in apply all week, however the Bears have been assured the Patriots offense wouldn’t change a lot whether or not Jones or rookie Bailey Zappe began.
Inactive for the Patriots are cornerback Shaun Wade, defensive sort out Christian Barmore, extensive receiver Kendrick Bourne, security Joshuah Bledsoe, linebacker Josh Uche, working again Kevin Harris and offensive sort out Isaiah Wynn.
Newest information from Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights village leaders promised involved residents a say within the influence the Bears’ proposed NFL stadium improvement might have on the village if the Bears transfer forward with redeveloping the previous Arlington Worldwide Racecourse web site.
Mayor Tom Hayes promised two residents who, on the Village Board assembly, voiced considerations in regards to the soccer crew’s proposal that they “and different members of the general public could have a full and truthful alternative to supply enter earlier than any votes are taken.”
Learn the total story right here.
Lucas Patrick leaves with toe harm
Bears middle Lucas Patrick was carted to the locker room within the first quarter.
Patrick went into the medical tent after the Bears’ second drive and got here out limping a couple of minutes later. He left the sphere on a cart, and the Bears introduced he was uncertain to return with a toe harm.
The Bears shook up their offensive line to open the sport, shifting Patrick from left guard to middle. Veteran Michael Schofield began at left guard, and Sam Mustipher, who had been beginning at middle, went to the bench.
With Patrick out, Mustipher performed middle on the Bears’ third drive.
Halftime: 2 late scores give Bears 20-14 lead
Bears quarterback Justin Fields led two landing drives and the Bears protection had two takeaways to gas a 20-14 halftime lead towards the Patriots.
Fields accomplished 9 of 13 passes for 133 yards with a landing and an interception and likewise had 10 carries for 74 yards and a landing in one in every of his finest halves this season.
His play helped the Bears overcome a powerful displaying by Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, who led landing drives on his first two sequence after changing starter Mac Jones.
The Patriots turned to Zappe when Jones, who was getting back from a three-game absence on account of an ankle harm, threw an interception to Bears security Jaquan Brisker on their third drive.
Zappe then led a 55-yard drive, hitting Jakobi Meyers with a 30-yard landing cross. Meyers was extensive open and caught the ball in need of the top zone, however he jumped up and dived throughout the purpose line as security Eddie Jackson bought to him.
After Fields threw an interception to security Myles Bryant on a tipped cross, Zappe adopted with a 43-yard cross to DeVante Parker. Two performs later, Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 4-yard run for a 14-10 lead.
The Bears answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Fields’ 25-yard landing cross to Khalil Herbert with 1:54 to play within the half. And after a fumbled trade by the Patriots, Cairo Santos made a 23-yard area purpose as time expired.
Fields’ 3-yard landing run with 2:11 to play within the first quarter gave the Bears a 10-0 lead. Fields accomplished a 19-yard cross to Equanimeous St. Brown and a 14-yarder to N’Keal Harry to get to the 19-yard line. It was Harry’s first catch as a Bear. David Montgomery someway emerged from a pile of gamers to hurry for 8 yards to the three to arrange Fields’ run.
Santos made two area objectives, a 42-yarder on the Bears’ first drive and the 23-yarder on the ultimate play of the half.
The Bears protection bought two takeaways: Brisker’s first profession interception and defensive sort out Justin Jones’ restoration after Zappe’s fumbled handoff.
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