Bears Hold Off Patriots 30-24 After Wild End to First Half

The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 30-24 on Thursday night at Soldier Field, and they did it after watching a six-point halftime lead nearly turn into a momentum swing. Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes, Cairo Santos hit three field goals, including a 58-yarder late in the fourth quarter, and Rome Odunze recovered New England's onside kick with 37 seconds left to seal it.

Chicago moved to 5-2. New England fell to 4-3.

The end of the half

The Bears had controlled most of the first 30 minutes. D'Andre Swift ran in from 4 yards in the first quarter, Santos added field goals from 43 and 31 yards, and Williams hit Luther Burden III for a 24-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left in the second quarter to make it 20-7.

That should have been the half. Instead, New England needed two plays and 14 seconds to go 66 yards. On the last snap, Drake Maye found Rhamondre Stevenson on a short pass out of the backfield, and Stevenson ran untouched through a broken Chicago secondary for a 48-yard touchdown as time expired. Jaylon Johnson took a bad angle, and defensive backs Dillon Thieneman and Kyler Gordon collided with each other in pursuit.

Next Gen Stats gave Stevenson a 4.3% chance of scoring when he caught the ball. He gained 47 yards after the catch, and the play lifted New England's win probability from 10.2% to 24.5%.

How Chicago closed it

Bears coach Ben Johnson told Prime Video at halftime he expected his team to "respond the right way," and it did on the first possession of the third quarter. Williams capped the opening drive of the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colston Loveland, who muscled his way in to finish a 72-yard march and make it 27-14.

Maye answered with a 30-yard touchdown to Eli Raridon late in the third, pulling New England within 27-21. The Patriots never got closer than that. Chicago missed a chance to go up two scores when a field-goal try hit the upright early in the fourth, but Santos made up for it with 1:34 left, drilling a 58-yarder at the end of a 12-play, 51-yard drive. The NFL noted it was the third-longest field goal in Soldier Field history.

Andy Borregales hit a 47-yard field goal with 37 seconds left to cut it to six. Odunze then secured the onside kick, and the Bears ran out the clock.

The numbers

Williams finished 22 of 33 for 308 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Burden led all receivers with 130 yards on four catches. Swift carried 22 times for 78 yards and a score.

Maye was efficient, completing 24 of 31 passes for 321 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and he added a rushing touchdown from 7 yards in the second quarter. Stevenson led New England with five catches for 93 yards. Christian Elliss had a game-high 13 tackles for the Patriots, and Christian Barmore and Marcus Jones each recorded sacks. Gordon had a sack for Chicago.

Chicago outgained New England 405-380, went 3 of 4 in the red zone and converted both of its fourth-down tries, including one on a catch by Loveland right after he dropped a pass. The interception was the game's only turnover.

Injuries

The win came at a cost for Chicago. Tight end Cole Kmet was carted off in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to his legs following a catch; he gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he left the field (more on Kmet). Cornerback Malik Muhammad II was ruled doubtful to return with a toe injury during the game. Running back Kyle Monangai was already out with a toe injury.

For New England, cornerback Christian Gonzalez was active after an illness. The Patriots were also without Alijah Vera-Tucker, who went on injured reserve before the game.

What's next

The Patriots get extra rest before visiting the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 1 (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), then host Green Bay on Nov. 8.

The Bears go to Seattle for Monday Night Football on Nov. 2 (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), then return home to face Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football.