On Sunday, the New England Patriots defeated the Chicago Bears 19-3, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye outshining Caleb Williams in a battle of top draft picks. Maye led the offense to five scoring drives, while the Patriots’ defense put relentless pressure on Williams, sacking him a season-high nine times. This victory was crucial for New England (3-7), who had been struggling with just one win in their previous eight games.
Maye, who threw for 184 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, compared the win to his intense training camp experiences, noting the aggressive defensive play. Meanwhile, the Bears (4-5) struggled throughout the game, managing only 142 yards of total offense and converting just 1-of-14 third downs. Their poor performance led to fans calling for coach Matt Eberflus’s dismissal as the game ended. With a 14-29 record under Eberflus, changes seem inevitable, and the coach hinted that he might take over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Despite the tough loss, Williams remained confident in the team’s potential, acknowledging that they just weren’t executing well.
Williams, the first overall pick in the draft, had a rough outing, completing just 16 of 30 passes for 120 yards. The Bears’ eight-game home win streak was snapped, and their offense was thoroughly outplayed by the Patriots’ defense, which saw Anfernee Jennings and Deatrich Wise each record two sacks. Patriots kicker Joey Slye added four field goals, and the team led 13-3 at halftime, helped by Maye’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Lynn Polk and a 37-yard field goal from Slye just before the break.
Chicago’s offense struggled to capitalize on early chances. A solid 38-yard punt return by DeAndre Carter set the Bears up near midfield, but they failed to convert, allowing the Patriots to seize control. Chicago’s only score came from a Cairo Santos field goal late in the second quarter. With a challenging schedule ahead, including six matchups against NFC North rivals, the Bears will need to improve quickly if they want to salvage their season.
