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Drake Maye's end-zone interception proves costly as Patriots fall 30-24 to Bears in primetime

23 October 2026 at 04:55

Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams showed NFL fans once again that they're a match made in heaven.

Chicago didn't give the New England Patriots much of a shot in Week 7's Thursday night matchup. The Bears comfortably beat the Pats, 30-24, improving to 5-2.

In a game decided by just six points, Drake Maye leaving guaranteed points on the turf with a killer second-quarter end-zone pick loomed large. It forced New England into chase mode all night. It was Maye's third INT in the end zone this season.

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New England almost went into the halftime break facing a scary deficit, if not for a 48-yard TD run by Pats RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Chicago's defense fell asleep at the wheel; an effort on D unbecoming of this franchise.

In his second game back from a hamstring injury, Caleb continued to ride an offensive groove, throwing for 308 yards (22-of-32) and two touchdowns.

BEARS QB CALEB WILLIAMS SHUTS DOWN REPORTERS ASKING ABOUT HIS HAMSTRING INJURY: 'IT'S NOT DESERVING'

On the Al Michaels front — the play-by-play icon had another sleepy outing, stumbling through a few sequences, including calling a Pats "fumble" that never occurred. The 81-year-old broadcaster also mistook Williams and Maye for QBs from the "class of 2014." They were drafted in 2024.

Chicago extinguished New England's last-minute comeback bid courtesy of exceptional clock management by coach Johnson and a nail-in-the-coffin, career-best 58-yard field goal from Cairo Santos. The kick let the former Vrabel disciple stick it to his old boss, leaving the Patriots coach grimacing on the sideline knowing he'd been out-dueled.

Maye finished with 321 passing yards (24-of-31) with two touchdowns and that costly turnover.

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Courtesy of the NFL scheduling gods, Vrabel and the Patriots have a prime get-right spot against the Dolphins in Week 8 after dropping to 4-3.

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Rhamondre Stevenson's miraculous 48-yard touchdown stuns Bears as clock expires in first half

23 October 2026 at 03:42

The final play of the first half between the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears on "Thursday Night Football" was the definition of: "What in the world did we just watch?"

After Luther Burden III scored for the Bears on third-and-17 near the red zone, Chicago went up 20-7 in the waning seconds of the second quarter. With the Bears getting the ball to start the third quarter, it would’ve been the perfect ending to the first half at home.

Keyword "would’ve."

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The Patriots took over with just 14 seconds left to play, but quarterback Drake Maye didn’t just kneel the clock out and head to the locker room. Instead, the Patriots were going to at least take a shot to get some points back before going to halftime.

After A.J. Brown hauled in his first catch of the night for 18 yards, the Patriots were near midfield for what should’ve been a Hail Mary attempt. But when Maye dumped the ball off to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, it seemed no points were coming the Patriots way in the end.

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But Stevenson found some space and waited for his teammates to make a couple of blocks. Then, the Bears defenders, who didn’t seem to have urgency to bring Stevenson down, over-pursued the veteran back, and he found a crease toward the end zone.

Stevenson sprinted into the end zone for a 48-yard score as the clock expired, shocking the entire Soldier Field crowd as the Bears were only up 20-14.

NextGenStats found that Stevenson only had a 4.3% chance of scoring once the ball hit his hands.

We’ll see if this miraculous touchdown will come back to haunt the Bears, who are playing their first home game since the passing of legendary coach Mike Ditka. The night began with a moment of silence for the Super Bowl-winning coach, while fans were given fake mustaches to replicate his iconic look.

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But the Patriots came into this road game in primetime hoping to keep their momentum going, as they have now won three straight games.

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Bears fans don Mike Ditka's famous mustache as franchise legend honored at first home game since death

23 October 2026 at 02:25

For the first time since he passed away on Oct. 9, the Chicago Bears held a home game at Soldier Field, and it didn’t kick off until they honored their legendary coach on Thursday night.

Ditka, a Pro Football Hall of Famer as a tight end and a beloved Bears coach, died at age 86, and it hit the entire city of Chicago hard.

With their first home game back, it was expected that many Bears faithful would honor their former coach with his signature sweater, glasses and mustache combo.

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In fact, the Bears were handing out fake mustaches for fans to wear during the game – an ode to the most iconic facial hair in the city.

As fans showcased their love for Ditka with their attire and more, a moment of silence was held for him before kickoff.

"Tonight, we remember Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and coach of the 1985 Super Bowl-champion Chicago Bears. Tough, strong and fearless, ‘Iron Mike’ will always belong to the Bears," the PA announcer said over the speakers.

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Before he led the Bears to a Super Bowl victory in 1985, he was a Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys as a player. But he was drafted by the Bears in 1961, becoming the first modern receiving tight end, while also being the first tight end selected to the Hall of Fame.

He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1961, while making five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1961-65. He was also a five-time All-Pro.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," a statement from his family earlier this month read. "While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.

"Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."

After his illustrious playing career came to an end, Ditka worked his way into the head coaching role with the Bears, and he embodied everything the city and fan base was known for: no-nonsense, strong-willed people that showcased toughness and grit no matter the circumstances.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka," the Bears said in a statement. "Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable.

"His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations. We extend our love, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the Ditka family, and join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka."

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Ditka may, sadly, be gone, but his impact on the game, especially in Chicago, will live on forever.

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