Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ victory over the Bears in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
GAME BOOK
HEADLINES
Patriots survive: In one their sloppiest all-around games in recent memory, the Patriots beat the Bears 38-31 when Chicago’s Hail Mary with two seconds left was caught, but came up 1 yard short, thanks to a tackle by Duron Harmon. The teams combined to have 42 of the 69 points come off either turnovers (28) or special teams (14), to say nothing of the 39-yard run by Mitch Trubisky to set up another score, and his 8-yard TD run that saw him run backward to the 30 and then across the field to score untouched. The Patriots had three fumbles (two lost) and an interception, while the Bears threw two interceptions. Just not good football by anyone.
Sony Michel leaves with injury: Early in the second quarter, the first-round pick was tackled and went to the ground awkwardly as he fumbled. There were no clear replays, but it appeared to be a serious injury to either his left knee (which has been an issue for him previously) or his lower leg/ankle (it was announced as a knee). If Michel has to go on injured reserve, that will mean all of the team’s top six draft picks in 2018 have landed there, and seven of nine overall (Danny Etling and Keion Crossen would be the only survivors). Obviously, this would be a blow, but the extent remains to be seen. James White executed the four-minute offense to near-perfection with eight straight carries to leave the Bears with just 24 seconds left. Kenjon Barner has his moments as well. If Michel has to miss significant time, look for the Patriots to add a free-agent running back this week.
Special teams giveth, and taketh away: It didn’t look like a good day for the special teams when Cordarrelle Patterson loosely carried the ball out of the end zone and then fumbled right to Chicago with the Patriots leading 7-3 late in the first quarter. But Patterson made up for it with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the second quarter, and the Patriots later blocked a punt (Dont’a Hightower) and returned it for a touchdown (Kyle Van Noy).
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1054091133125455873
Defense has miserable day: For a unit that prides itself on situational defense, the Patriots allowed the Bears to convert all three of New England’s turnovers into 21 points, and allowed Mitch Trubisky (81 rushing yards on six carries) to nearly outrush the Patriots’ backs (98 yards). Despite Trubisky having obvious issues reading defenses and finding open receivers quickly, he still passed for 333 yards as the Bears totaled 453 and converted 50 percent of their third downs. If it wasn’t for the two interceptions by J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones, it would be a lost day for the defense.
TURNING POINT
Clinging to a 31-24 lead midway through the fourth quarter and struggling to put away the Bears, the Patriots had second and 10 at their own 44-yard line when Tom Brady found Josh Gordon open in the middle of the field. He eluded one tackler and put his shoulder into another before laboring down to the 1-yard line. The Patriots scored two plays later to, effectively, end the game at 38-24 with 8:40 to play.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1054102555897192450
SECOND GUESS
The Patriots obviously knew Trubisky was challenged as a pocket passer with the way they tried to throw early pressure looks at him, yet it seemed they didn’t have much of a plan for handling him as a runner — which was basically the only thing he could do effectively to move the ball. New England should have had a more disciplined approach to rushing him, or having a better spy plan, because Trubisky’s legs were the only reason this was a game.
Also, what was up with those first two calls from the Bears’ 6-yard-line with 4:45 to go in the second quarter before James White’s eventual touchdown? A sprint-out pass by Brady to his left, and then a direct snap to White? Who are these guys?
THREE UP
WR Josh Gordon: Had his first 100-yard game as a Patriot on just four receptions, and two of them were huge — a fourth-and-1 leaping and twisting catch against CB Kyle Fuller (which set up a touchdown), and then his 55-yard catch-and-run that set up New England’s final score.
https://twitter.com/FirstDownFR/status/1054075502703665152
RB James White: Scored two more touchdowns — the guy is money inside the 10-yard line — and also provided some tough running as the Patriots finished off the Bears with a good clock-killing four-minute drive.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1054077277401542656
OT Trent Brown: Brady was sacked just once in this game and was officially hit only two other times. Khalil Mack may have been limited with an injury, but anytime you keep him and Leonard Floyd off the stat sheet, it’s a good day.
THREE DOWN
Adrian Clayborn: Finally had his first sack of the season, but he looked to be very irresponsible with his rush discipline and allowed Trubisky to use his legs to keep the Bears alive.
Eric Rowe: I’m giving this spot to my loyal Twitter followers because they certainly did like what Rowe did and I’m not going to argue with them since it looked like he struggled in coverage.
Devin McCourty: There were obviously some issues in the middle of the Patriots’ secondary and, while we can’t tell until we see the all-22, if you put together McCourty’s recent struggles and some of the looks he got from teammates after big plays in the middle, we’re going with him.
INJURIES
WR Chris Hogan (left knee): Injured on Edelman’s opening touchdown when he got rolled up on, but returned to the game and was spotted without a limp in the locker room afterward.
RB Sony Michel (left knee): Tackled awkwardly early in the second quarter, causing a fumble, but he sustained what was announced as a knee injury. He was carted off and eventually ruled out for the game.
CB Eric Rowe (groin): Asked out of the game late in the third quarter with what looked like another groin injury for him. It’s been a problem on and off since he’s been here.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Bears are going nowhere with Mitch Trubisky as their starter: He’s basically early Ryan Tannehill at this point — good athlete, strong arm and looks the part, but has no clue how to do the little things you need to do to be a franchise quarterback in this league, like feeling and adjusting to pressure and throwing passes with anticipation. As has been the case with Adam Gase and Tannehill, I’m sure Matt Nagy will be able scheme things up to make Trubisky comfortable and effective at times (like Nagy did with Alex Smith with the Chiefs), but at the end of the days you need to be a natural thrower and quarterback to be a franchise QB in this league. Trubisky is miles from that right now.
Wouldn’t want to be Cordarrelle Patterson this week: Between his fumble after carrying the ball loosely and the celebration display he had on his touchdown — when the Patriots still trailed — Patterson is likely to get an earful from Bill Belichick on Monday. And it will be totally justified. That’s not the way the Patriots do business, and you’re not a Raider anymore.
CORDARRELLE PATTERSON TO THE HOUSE! TOUCHDOWN #PATRIOTS! #NEvsCHI pic.twitter.com/85I1YkXaqi
— Casey Baker (@CaseyBake16) October 21, 2018