It took almost every bit of the game but in the end, the New England Patriots defeated the Chicago Bears 38-31 to win their fourth straight game and jump to 5-2 on the season.
The Bears dominated early on in the second quarter 17-7 until All-Pro kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson sprung free for a 95-yard score to put the Patriots once again within three with the help of a J.C Jackson block.
Special teams once again reigned supreme as Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower became the first Patriots linebacker to block a punt in 354 games which Kyle Van Noy returned to put the Patriots up by a score.
At the start of the game, the Patriots gave it to Sony Michel, who ran for 204 yards in the two previous games combined. New England started off the game strong with the simple fast passing game getting it to James White and then Julian Edelman for the score.
The Bears kicked a field goal and Cody Parkey kicked it off to the waiting Patterson, who known for his special teams, prowess fumbled the ball right into the hands of DeAndre Houston-Carson. On a third down and six, when it seemed the Patriots would hold the Bears to three after a turnover, Trubisky made his way into the end zone on a 60-yard run after being pushed back by Adrian Clayborn.
The Patriots continued to give the ball back to the Bears when Michel fumbled the ball and sustained a knee injury on the same play. He was carted off the field and did not return to the game.
The two teams went back and forth with the Patriots not having any answer for Trubisky on the ground. In fact, Trubisky’s 81 rushing yards were more than the entire Patriots offense, that combined at 63. The Bears, with the help of Tarik Cohen, moved downfield well until Trubisky tried to get it going with a huge pass downfield that ended in an interception by Jonathan Jones on a circus catch.
Brady connected with Gordon on a 55-yard pass to put the 6-foot-3 Gordon at 100 yards for the first time in a Patriots uniform, which Brady later capped off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to White for his second of the day.
The Patriots ran down the clock after getting the ball back before choosing to punt and give the Bears the ball at their own 20-yard line. Trubisky then dropped back for a hail mary attempt to tie the game. Wide receiver Kevin White came down with the ball at the two-yard line but was short of the tying score ending the game.
Top Performers
Offense/Special Teams
James White: Michel left early on with what is assumed to be an injury keeping him out for an extended period of time, which opened the door for White’s role in the passing game adding another touchdown to his stat sheet. White is going to be a huge fantasy option as he and Brady are going to be connecting quite a bit in the future.
Josh Gordon: Gordon didn’t light up the stat sheet by any means, but the trust and connection between him and his quarterback were clear in a pivotal fourth down connection where he held onto the ball as his helmet came off. Gordon’s sure hands made it yet another step in the right direction for the experiment.
Cordarrelle Patterson: Having Patterson as a top performer was a given as the former All-Pro kick returner did what he does best with a 95-yard kickoff return that set the tone for rest of the first half and essentially the rest of the game.
Chris Hogan: After an abysmal start to the season, Hogan seems to be hitting his stride as the former Bill recorded six receptions for 63 yards and recording over three receptions for only the second time this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Deatrich Wise Jr.: Wise Jr. is still proving to be the better of the two defensive ends drafted in 2017 recording his third full sack of the season showing athleticism that will only get better as the season goes forward.
Stephon Gilmore: Gilmore showed not only his elite cover skills today, but also his ball-hawking ability by jumping in front of an interception on the goal line. The physicality of his play stood out as well as he’s continuing to live up to the billing of his contract.
Dont’a Hightower: Hightower continues to get up to speed as he made history, as stated previously, by blocking a punt and making the second halftone setting special teams play.
Jonathan Jones: Jones continued to show his speed as part of the adjustment to contain Trubisky from carrying the ball all over the field. Jones then made a huge one-handed interception. Jones continues to look like a steal as the latest undrafted free agent to earn a lot of playing time in the starting rotation.
