Final: Patriots 38, Bears 31 - Patriots hang on for closer-than-expected victory taken at Soldier Field (Patriots)

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Patriots

Final: Patriots 38, Bears 31 - Patriots hang on for closer-than-expected victory

By Christopher Price

Oct 21, 2018 • 10:57 am

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CHICAGO -- On an afternoon where they didn’t have Rob Gronkowski, and Sony Michel left in the first half because of a knee injury, the Patriots got a big boost from their special teams unit and some of their role players before hanging on for a 38-31 win over Chicago.

It was the first road win of the season for the Patriots, and fourth-straight victory for New England.

Tom Brady finished 25-for-36 for 277 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. In addition, James White (11 carries, 40 yards, two receiving touchdowns), Chris Hogan (six catches, 63 yards) and Josh Gordon (four catches, 100 yards) all chipped in offensively in the win.

The special teamers’ had an eventful day. It started when Cordarrelle Patterson fumbled an early kick return chance, but he bounced back later in the first half with an electric 95-yard return for a touchdown. In addition, a fumbled punt return chance by Julian Edelman deep in New England territory was a near-miss for the Patriots, but Edelman recovered his muff to minimize the damage. But the miscues led to a 17-7 edge for the Bears in the early going.

In the second half, the special teams again took center stage for New England. Dont’a Hightower blocked a punt and Kyle Van Noy delivered a 29-yard return for a touchdown with 5:53 left in the third quarter. It gave the Patriots a 31-24 lead, one that stood up the rest of the way.

While there were defensive struggles for New England, it did get a boost from its secondary in the second half, when J.C. Jackson came away with a terrific pick. That was followed by a really great interception on another ball deep in New England territory. But it was mostly a day to forget for the Patriots’ defense, which struggled to hold back an inconsistent Chicago offense that featured very little in the way of star power but still managed to move the ball up and down the field all afternoon.

Fortunately for New England, the offense was just good enough early and late. Brady and Edelman hooked up on the first score of the day, while White added touchdown catches of his own in the second and fourth quarter to give the Patriots just enough of an edge down the stretch.

IN-GAME UPDATES



4:21 p.m.: He caught it, but time ran out. That's it -- 38-31.

4:20 p.m.: Gordon back out there as a safety.

4:17 p.m.: So there are 30 seconds left and the Pats have the ball on the 33. Here comes Allen for the punt.

3:12 p.m.: Pats in no hurry here -- taking that clock down as far as they can.

4:05 p.m.: Burton has killed them today. Extra point is good -- 38-31 lead for New England.

4:03 p.m.: Chicago showing signs of life here with just over four minutes to go. Chung slow to get up after that last play. Can't trade yards for clock just yet.

4:02 p.m.: Third turnover of the day for the Patriots.

3:58 p.m.: Josh Gordon back on the field at the start of this drive.

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Game:

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PREGAME UPDATES


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Some pregame reading:















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