Josh Gordon gets looks in big spots and produces first 100-yard game

If Josh Gordon's heave-of-faith, end-zone grab against the Colts was his welcome-to-the-Patriots moment, then his performance in Sunday's 38-31 victory over the Bears was his coming-out party.

Gordon posted his first 100-yard game with New England on just four catches at Soldier Field, with two of them being of the huge variety.

"He’s a threat," said Julian Edelman. "He goes down the field and makes plays. He's come in and he's worked hard. I just want to say thanks to the league. It's pretty cool to have a guy like him and play with a dynamic player."

With the Patriots trailing Chicago 17-14 midway through the second quarter, the Patriots faced a fourth-and-1 at the Bears' 42-yard line. They didn't elect to run the ball, and Tom Brady didn't look for his usual binkies, Edelman or James White.

No, Brady looked to Gordon, who was the boundary isolated receiver matched up against cornerback Kyle Fuller, who's a good player. Gordon went over Fuller to grab the ball, landed on it and had his helmet pop off. The result was a first down, and the Patriots scored a go-ahead touchdown five plays later.

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"Yeah, I had it matched up on the one-on-one and he just went up and got it," said Brady. "He made a great play. We are just going to keep developing our confidence in one another, and he's making great plays when I throw him the ball. Just got to keep doing it."

Said Fuller: "I was in position. It was a back-shoulder good throw, good catch. Nothing more."

That fourth-down grab was a Rob Gronkowski special. With the tight end out with a back injury, the Patriots needed another big body to provide a matchup problem. Enter Gordon.

"I think there were a lot of those adjustments that were probably challenging for Josh, especially, with the play call," said Brady. "I give him so much credit, never lost his poise ... and Gronk just not feeling up to it, and you know, Josh kind of manipulating everything with the game plan that he needed to do and in order to put us in a position to do well. He's doing a great job for us."

With the Patriots looking to put the game away in the fourth quarter, Brady looked Gordon's way on one of their staple plays: play-action pass to a deep in cut. But Gordon made it a bit better than usual.

Gordon ran away from corner Prince Amukamara, and through safety Eddie Jackson. He ran another 33 yards in what really should have been a touchdown, but...

"... Unfortunately (I) got a little bit time there at the end of that 96-yard drive," Gordon said. "But you know, it was fun. It was great. I'm glad I got a good touch on the ball and was able to make something happen."

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The Patriots cashed in two plays later to take a 38-24 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

With Gronkowski down and, during the game, Sony Michel being injured, the Patriots needed some players to step up and make a few plays. Gordon was able to answer the call put out by Josh McDaniels.

"Coach McDaniel mentioned it to us," Gordon said. "I think we were prepared for it mentally, and we practiced different looks and different groupings and personnel to offset that. And I think collectively as a group, we showed that we can hold our own without (Gronkowski). But we'll be glad to have him back.