Courtney Cronin
SHUT
ESPN staff writer- Covered the 49ers, Raiders and Warriors for the San Jose Mercury News. She joined ESPN in 2017.
Mike Reiss
SHUTESPN staff writer- Patriots covered since 1997
- Joined ESPN in 2009
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After the New England Patriots replaced starting quarterback Mac Jones with Bailey Zappe at halftime, it looked like they were going to make things difficult for the Chicago Bears with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second quarter.
However, quarterback Justin Fields then led the Bears to 23 unanswered points as Chicago walked away with a 33-14 victory.
Both the Bears and Patriots head into Week 8 sporting identical 3-4 records.
Chicago Bears
Weather games are the Bears’ forte. They opened the season in a flurry and beat the San Francisco 49ers. On Monday, against the Patriots, the slick field and thick fog over Gillette Stadium were no factors en route to a 33-14 victory.
The Bears snapped a three-game losing streak with 10 days between games. Chicago’s coaches promised personnel changes and scheme adjustments during the mini-bye week and delivered. Justin Fields energized the offense with his rushing ability, and not in a typical way. Designed runs — not scrimmages — were the Bears’ weapon of choice for their second-year quarterback. Chicago’s 33 points in Week 7 were the most in a game with Fields as the starter.
General manager Ryan Poles held an impromptu press conference a few hours before kickoff to address the Bears’ plight near the season’s midpoint. His message? This team may be young, but the Bears need to learn how to close out games after getting close through their first six games. Chicago’s win on Monday Night Football is a step in the right direction for a motivated and well-coached group.
QB Breakdown: Chicago’s game plan was simple: get Fields on the move. Fields had the most rushes (12) and rushing yards (55) in single-game drives of his career, which included a 3-yard run and five first downs. Using their quarterback’s biggest asset — his legs — was a boon for the Bears and helped Chicago score on five straight drives, which is tied for its longest streak in the last four seasons. Fields finished with a team-high 82 yards and went 13 of 21 for 179 yards, a touchdown and an interception. This was the most comfortable Fields has looked all season. He was patient, waited for plays to develop and went through his progressions in ways he hadn’t earlier this season. Monday’s win is something the 23-year-old quarterback can build on.
Amazing Stats: Fields is one of two players in the last 30 seasons to have more than 100 passing yards and 70 rushing yards, along with at least one pass and rushing touchdown in the opening half, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The last player to do so was Russell Wilson in 2014.
Promising trend: The adjustments the Bears made — both in personnel and scheme — after their Week 6 loss to Washington paid off. Designed runs, RPOs, quick throws and an uptick in pre-snap movement (their highest usage in a game all season) helped Chicago set the tone on offense. The Bears went 11-of-17 on third down, just shy of the most third-down conversions allowed by a Bill Belichick defense. There were pockets of movement for Fields, which helped him avoid pressure in ways he hadn’t been able to before. After not being targeted against the Commanders, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown led the team with seven targets and had four receptions for 48 yards. Change at point guard with Dante Pettis taking over for Velus Jones Jr. returned a 27-yard punt return, Chicago’s longest of the season.
Buy a broken performance: The Bears drew criticism for taking defensive tackle with their top two picks in the draft instead of addressing needs at wide receiver and offensive line, a decision that Poles defended Monday. Both of their top starters — cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker — came up with interceptions in Chicago’s first win in Foxborough. The Bear sector is in good hands for years to come.
Next game: at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
New England Patriots
Do the New England Patriots have a quarterback controversy? Mac Jones’ return from a high left ankle sprain didn’t go as planned, and freshman Bailey Zappe gave the offense a spark when he entered the game in the second quarter before sitting out the second half.
Coach Bill Belichick told ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters that the plan going into the game was to play both quarterbacks. Jones played the first three series, throwing his sixth interception of the season to end his third drive. The pass hung in the air and the anxious crowd at home began chanting “Zappe! Zappe! Zappe!”
Jones finished 3-for-6 for 13 yards and the pick, while Zappe was 14-for-22 for 185 yards, with a touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble.
The biggest hole in the game plan: Accounting for quarterback Justin Fields as a runner. The defense, which had been strong in wins over the Lions and Browns, showed unexpected weakness and struggled to get out of blocks throughout. Fields, who also hurt the Patriots with his arm after buying overtime, rushed 10 times for 74 yards and a touchdown in the first half. It was the most rushing yards the Patriots have allowed to a quarterback in the last half in Belichick’s tenure (2000s). The Bears called runs designed for Fields nine times in the first half.
Under-the-radar stats that matter: The Patriots’ defense couldn’t get off the field on third down, allowing 11 third-down conversions as the Bears built a 33-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Describe the game in two words: Exploded. The Bears came to the Patriots’ home stadium and ran through them with unexpected ease.
Worrying trends: Left tackle Trent Brown was called for four penalties, three of which were on the team’s first two snaps. He was called for holding twice, a false start and jumping. Isaiah Wynn, who was inactive with a shoulder injury, entered the day with a season-high eight penalties.
Next game: at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
