In a battle between two star quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft, it was Caleb Williams who held the edge over Drake Maye on “Thursday Night Football.” The Chicago Bears quarterback was the first of the two selected in the draft, and he one-upped the New England Patriots signal-caller again in a 30-24 win to kick off Week 7 in the NFL.
Maye found himself at a personnel disadvantage with a pair of wide receivers on injured reserve and the Patriots trotting out their 10th offensive line combination of the season. Still, he and his offense found the end zone three times, including with a determined run of his own to the goal line and a miraculous 48-yard catch-and-run from Rhamondre Stevenson as time expired in the second quarter.
Williams and the Bears were just too much, though. They amassed 405 yards of offense against a typically stingy New England squad, and the Williams-to-Luther Burden III connection was responsible for a sizable chunk of that production. The duo linked up four times through the air for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Even when Williams erred, the rest of the squad was there to pick him up. He took a nearly costly sack on Chicago’s final possession, but Cairo Santos drilled a career-long 58-yard field goal to extend the lead to two scores with 1:34 to play. That was a critical blow to New England and one that effectively sealed the home team’s victory at Soldier Field.
Here’s a closer look at how the Bears got it done.
Clutch field goal
Santos, who missed a field goal earlier in the game, was given a chance to attempt a 58-yard field goal with 1:39 left. Santos rewarded Ben Johnson’s confidence in him when he put the ball through the uprights to give the Bears a two-possession lead.
The field goal is the longest of Santos’ career and the third-longest in Soldier Field history.
Caleb Williams steps up
There should no longer be any doubt when it comes to Williams’ place among the NFL’s top quarterbacks. Williams was simply sensational all night.
Four days after going 30 of 35 for 305 yards, Williams went 22 of 33 for 308 yards against the Patriots. His night included a number of clutch plays that included his 21-yard completion to Rome Odunze on a third-and-9 play on the Bears’ last offensive series.
Williams’ success in the air was matched by his impressive mobility and maneuverability.
Williams’ passing was complemented by D’Andre Swift, who ran for 78 yards and a touchdown against New England’s stout run defense.
Maye’s mistakes
Maye played well most of the night. He went 24-of-31 for 321 yards and two touchdowns and was the Patriots’ leading rusher with 26 yards and a touchdown. He had two moments, however, that he surely wishes he could have back.
The first was a sack he took on fourth down on the game’s first drive. Maye appeared to have a receiver open in the slot, but he held onto the ball and was taken down by Kyler Gordon. The Bears’ offense took advantage of the short field by getting a field goal on their ensuing drive.
The second play was Maye’s end zone interception to D’Marco Jackson with 3:32 left in the first half. The pick set up another Bears scoring drive that stretched Chicago’s lead to 20-7.
The Patriots now have a -7 turnover ratio this season.
Stevenson’s stunner at the buzzer
Stevenson’s 48-yard score was one of the stunning endings to a first half in recent memory. It conjured memories of the famous hook-and-ladder in the Epic in Miami.
Mike Vrabel told Prime that the Patriots recently installed the play, and it paid dividends on Thursday night.
Burden’s big half
Luther Burden III did his best Willie Gault impression during the first half. Fresh off his eight-catch, 95-yard performance in last Sunday’s win over the Falcons, Burden caught four passes for 130 yards during the game’s first 30 minutes.
His 58-yard grab set up the game’s first touchdown, a four-yard run by Swift. He finished the first half with a 24-yard touchdown that extended Chicago’s lead to 20-7.
Where’s AJ?
AJ Brown’s face might be on milk cartons tomorrow in the New England area. He had just one catch in the first half and finished the night with just three grabs (on six targets) for 48 yards.