The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 30-24 in Week 7 by keeping the ball and keeping it clean. New England was more explosive play for play. Chicago ran 66 plays to New England's 50 and finished the night without a turnover.
The Patriots averaged nearly 8 yards a play to about 6 for the Bears. That efficiency never turned into control, because New England converted just 2 of 7 third downs and gave the ball back too quickly. Chicago held it for more than 32 minutes and went 2-for-2 on fourth down.
How It Happened
Chicago scored the game's first 10 points. Cairo Santos hit a 43-yard field goal at 9:53 of the first quarter. D'Andre Swift added a 4-yard touchdown run with 1:38 left in the quarter for a 10-0 lead.
New England answered early in the second when Drake Maye ran in from 7 yards to make it 10-7. Santos restored a 6-point cushion with a 31-yard field goal. Caleb Williams then found Luther Burden III for a 24-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left in the half, pushing the lead to 20-7.
The Patriots needed only those 14 seconds. Maye hit Rhamondre Stevenson for a 48-yard touchdown as time expired, and New England went to the locker room down 20-14.
Williams opened the third-quarter scoring with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland, making it 27-14. Maye responded with a 30-yard strike to Eli Raridon at 3:46, cutting the deficit to 27-21.
The fourth quarter stayed scoreless until the final two minutes. Santos drilled a 58-yard field goal with 1:34 left to make it a two-score game at 30-21. Andy Borregales hit from 47 yards with 37 seconds remaining, but the Patriots got no closer than 30-24.
Key Performers
Caleb Williams, CHI: 2 TD passes – 24 YDS to Luther Burden III, 12 YDS to Colston Loveland
Bears passing: 22-33, 289 YDS, 0 INT
Bears rushing: 30 ATT, 116 YDS, 1 TD (D'Andre Swift, 4 YDS)
Cairo Santos, CHI: FG – 43, 31, 58 YDS; XP – 3-3
Drake Maye, NE: 1 rushing TD (7 YDS); 2 TD passes – 48 YDS to Rhamondre Stevenson, 30 YDS to Eli Raridon
Patriots passing: 24-31, 310 YDS, 1 INT
Patriots rushing: 17 ATT, 70 YDS
Andy Borregales, NE: FG – 47 YDS; XP – 3-3
Santos was the difference on the scoreboard. His 3 field goals, including the 58-yarder that forced New England to need two scores late, account for the final margin and then some.
What It Means
Chicago moves to 5-2 and 3-1 at Soldier Field. The Bears won this one by finishing drives, converting 3 of 4 red zone trips while New England got just 1 touchdown in 2 tries inside the 20.
New England falls to 4-3, and the split tells the story. The Patriots are 3-0 at home and 1-3 on the road, and this loss at Soldier Field added to the road column.
This loss fits the pattern. The Patriots threw for more yards than the home team and averaged more per play, yet a 2-for-7 night on third down and an interception left them a possession short. Until the road record catches up with the home one, a 4-3 start is about what this team has earned.