The Chicago Bears moved to 5-2 after defeating the New England Patriots 30-24 on Thursday night at Soldier Field, securing their best seven-game start to a season since the 2020 campaign. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, outdueling Drake Maye in front of a home crowd that also paid tribute to late Mike Ditka.
Williams Outduels Maye in Quarterback Clash
Thursday’s matchup marked the second professional meeting between Williams and Maye, who were selected first and third overall, respectively, in the 2024 NFL draft. Williams completed his evening with 308 passing yards, becoming the first Chicago quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in consecutive games since Mitch Trubisky accomplished the feat in 2018. Maye countered with 321 passing yards and two touchdowns for New England, but the Patriots quarterback also threw an interception and absorbed his team’s third road loss of the season.
Chicago established control early when the defense halted New England on a fourth down in midfield. Williams capitalized by connecting with Luther Burden III on a 58-yard gain, setting up a four-yard rushing touchdown by D’Andre Swift. Maye answered with a 74-yard scoring drive capped by his own seven-yard rushing touchdown, diving across the goal line despite absorbing a hit to his helmet.
Late First-Half Scramble Stuns Chicago Defense
With less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter and Chicago leading 13-7, Maye attempted a pass into the end zone that was intercepted by D’Marco Jackson, marking Maye’s eighth interception of the year. The turnover immediately proved costly. On third-and-17 with 14 seconds left on the clock, Williams found Burden III for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Burden finished the contest with 130 receiving yards.
Despite the deficit, New England struck back immediately before halftime. On the final play of the second quarter, Maye dumped a short pass to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who found a seam in the Chicago defense and raced 48 yards for an unexpected touchdown. The score trimmed the Chicago lead to six points heading into the locker room at halftime.
Bears and Patriots Trade Touchdowns Before Santos Hits Long Field Goal
The Bears quickly responded out of the break. Williams orchestrated a nine-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Colston Loveland. New England refused to fade, as Maye connected with Eli Raridon on a 30-yard scoring strike to pull the Patriots within 27-21.
Cairo Santos experienced a mixed evening for Chicago’s special teams. The kicker hit the goalpost on a 53-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, but head coach Ben Johnson maintained confidence in him. With 1:34 remaining in regulation, Santos converted a 58-yard field goal to extend the Bears’ lead to nine points and seal the victory.
The evening also served as a solemn tribute to Mike Ditka, the former tight end and head coach who passed away on Oct. 9 at the age of 86. Numerous fans at Soldier Field honored his memory by wearing vintage apparel and sporting replicas of his signature mustache.
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