Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Bears-Patriots game at Gillette Stadium. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Chicago Bears limped into a mini-bye last Thursday night, falling to the woeful Washington Commanders 12-7 at Soldier Field. Justin Fields’ last-minute heroics didn’t come to fruition, as Darnell Mooney juggled the fourth down lob just outside the goal-line.
Final. pic.twitter.com/E8uIu3o6zD
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 14, 2022
That brutal loss sank the Bears to 2-4 and added another NFC loss to their poor conference record. While the playoffs are not realistic for this team, finding themselves on the brink of realistic elimination this early wasn’t likely where this team saw themselves.
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Enter the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick tied George Halas for second-most wins on the all-time list last week, with the opportunity to defeat the Bears and claim second place all to himself.
That, too, in prime time?
The story writes itself. And this doesn’t even take into account Justin Fields vs. Mac Jones — two second-year QBs who have struggled.
The Bears had the opportunity to go on the road and salvage their season. In the end, the Bears went into Gillette Stadium and dominated the Patriots in all three phases to improve to 3-4.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. (PREGAME) — The reported offensive line change earlier this afternoon was a direct output of the self-scouting over the mini-bye. Lucas Patrick taking over at C (where he’d have ideally started the season) and Michael Schofield taking over at LG (while Cody Whitehair is injured) were the moves. Look, it may not be perfect, but they had to try something different. We’ll see if it makes any difference for Justin Fields tonight.
They had to try something different, and here it is.
Wondering if Alex Leatherwood will get to a point where he can play LG this year. But this is a start. https://t.co/xQmRhRdDZ7
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 24, 2022
2. Great start for the Bears’ offense. They scored on their first two drives — a field goal and then a designed keeper for Fields for a touchdown. Both drives were extended by getting Fields on the move — and receivers finding space in the middle of the field. The offensive line is looking stronger so far, even though Sam Mustipher came into the lineup on the second drive. But N’Keal Harry made a nice catch over the middle, as did EQSB. Strong, strong stuff to start.
3. Turns out Mustipher’s entrance on the second drive was for a good reason… Patrick is “doubtful” to return to the game with a toe injury. I mean…
Lucas Patrick being carted off in a game for Sam Mustipher where Bears fans were excited for the change is just so Bears.
Get well soon, Lucas.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
4. Jaquan Brisker finally got the ball production he was looking for, snagging a beautiful one-handed interception on Mac Jones. That was just after he was hurt due to a kick to the groin. Talk about redemption. Beautiful play to halt a promising Patriots drive.
(And then Bailey Zappe takes over on the next drive…)
Bailey Zappe is back and the crowd goes nuts.
This is wild.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
5. What a turn of events in Foxborough. Bailey Zappe completely shifted the momentum of the game with two deep throws — one for a touchdown and another that set up a touchdown — that flipped field position when it didn’t seem like New England could move the ball. Coverage busts and confusion from the Bears didn’t help, and the Patriots took a 14-10 lead in a blink. Those touchdowns were sandwiched between a tipped-pass interception from Fields. The defense didn’t know what hit them.
When this team goes down, they go down in FLAMES.
Absolutely dismantled over the last few minutes.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
6. But a fantastic response from the Bears’ offense right after going down 14-10, running the ball effectively and using Fields’ legs as a strong weapon, and a sweet screen pass to Khalil Herbert went in for a touchdown. Luke Getsy did a great job keeping Patriots’ defense off-balance, and they stayed ahead of the chains. Finally, a big-boy response to adversity!
Fantastic job by Fields to pump around the DL, who was ready to bat that down. Got crushed, but huge play.
Nice block downfield by Braxton Jones.
Big Boy response from the Bears. Great job by Luke Getsy.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
7. The final two minutes of that first half were ridiculous. First, a bad handoff between Bailey Zappe and the RB was fumbled and recovered by the Bears in plus territory. A gift after taking the lead.
Justin Fields was magical — amidst some trouble — getting the Bears down to field goal range. The Bears had a legitimate chance for a touchdown, but took the points to go into halftime 20-14. I like that approach there. It’s a gift to get those points. Get the ball after halftime and try to take control again with your first drive then.
Taking the points here is the right move. Gifted the opportunity for points and the ball after halftime.
Santos is good. 20-14.
Crazy first half.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
8. Nice opening drive to the second half by the Bears, which stalled near the red zone for a FG. A sweet Dante Pettis end-around picked up 29 yards, and the Bears continued to keep the Patriots off balance. It seems Bill Belichick finally will employ a spy on Fields, though. Bears up 23-14.
The Bears need to give Larry Borom help on Matthew Judon, though. Judon is a true beast, and Borom is struggling.
Nice drive to open the second half stalls near the red zone.
Santos puts them up 23-14.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
9. Cairo Santos is unbelievable. He’s 4/4 on field goals tonight and 11/11 on the season. Bears up 26-14 after another solid drive that included a ridiculous 3rd down escape and launch to Cole Kmet. Bears are looking composed here on the road at Gillette Stadium after some mid-game adversity.
Santos is a machine. 26-14.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
10. Dominique Robinson and Trevis Gipson are playing well tonight — they’ve gotten pressure on Bailey Zappe (and Mac Jones) and even forced OT Trent Brown into several penalties. Big development if they’re able to get their pass rush going from here on out.
11. Unbelievable performance from the Bears’ offense tonight. After going down 14-10, they’ve scored the last 23 points to take a 33-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. The run game has been strong and Bill Belichick doesn’t have an answer tonight. Impressive.
Monty scampers in and the Bears have crossed 30 points for the first time this season. It's a three-score game at Gillette.
Masterful performance from Luke Getsy tonight.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
12. Roquan picks it off on a tipped pass and that should do it — the Bears largely dominated the Patriots on the road at Gillette Stadium. No one saw this coming. Very impressive all the way around.
The coaching staff, Justin Fields, the offensive line, everyone should be proud of this performance.
At the risk of tweeting this too early… this was the best performance from the Bears in four years. All three phases contributed big time.
Justin Fields put the team on his back — with some great and some bad — very fun to watch.
An entertaining win!
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 25, 2022
13. Icing on the cake: Kyler Gordon gets his first interception of the season. Beautiful play on the ball in trail coverage. Great way to finish off the win.
14. The Bears head to Dallas this Sunday to take on the red-hot Cowboys. They’re a legitimately great defense, and a monstrous pass rush — one that could give this Bears’ OL significant trouble. As encouraging as their performance in New England was tonight, Dallas is going to be a tough matchup.
Early prediction: Cowboys 26, Bears 16.
Whoever is making the 1/2 time adjustments is great! Every game the team comes out after 1/2 time and looks like a new team! Kudos!!!
judon makes alot of RT look bad , Tavin Jenkins at RG was a monster , great game from him , starting to look like an ALL PRO. Where has this game plan been ?
This was the most composed I have ever sen Fields. He looked locked in and appeared to have zero jitters this game. He showed noticeably better pocket awareness than I’ve ever seen out of him as well. Not to single out one play… but mannn that side arm sling to get the ball around that D lineman in his face, on that screen to Herbert, was spectacular. Great team win, and very nice to see Justin play loose and confident.
I seem to recall a game a few years back where the Bears visited America’s team and handed them a 44-0 beat down which was the worst loss in Cowboys history. Speaking of history — doesn’t it repeat itself?
@ David – I concur with your analysis and would add 3 observations. 1. When Patrick was in at center, the middle of the line was able to hold their own and even looked significantly better in pass protection. When he got hurt and Mustipher came in, the protection up the middle suffered, but run blocking was solid. 2. Most notable was how Judon had his way with Larry Borom! He misused him all night long. At one point it felt like I was watching a cartoon. Overall the OL adjustments looked positive until Patrick got hurt. Even then we… Read more »