The New England Patriots defense dominates the Chicago Bears by only allowing a single score to cruise to a 19-3 victory on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

After a successful 37-yard field goal from Joey Slye, New England led Chicago 13-3 entering halftime. Then, after both teams went scoreless in the 3^rd quarter, the Slye would convert another field goal, this time from 25-yards to extend the Patriots’ lead to 13 with 7:30 remaining.

Following the score, the New England defense would force a turnover on downs, as Marcus Jones knocked away a pass from Caleb Williams that was intended for Keenan Allen.

On the proceeding possession, the Patriots’ offense would move 31 yards into scoring range and tack on another field goal to secure their second win in three weeks.

New England were led by their destructive defense that held the Bears to 142 yards of total offense and 3 total points. The Patriots were able to detain Chicago’s offense by keeping QB Caleb Williams under immense pressure.

Keion White and Anfernee Jennings anchored the Patriots’ defense to total for a season high 9 sacks. White recorded 4 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 QB hits. Jennings compiled 4 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 3 QB hits.

Deatrich Wise Jr. assisted with 2 total tackles, 2 sacks, and a TFL.

On offense, the Patriots received a much-needed boost from their rushing game that was absent in their loss to the Titans last week. New England totaled 144 yards on the ground on 35 attempts.

Rhamondre Stevenson led New England in rushing yards, as he recorded 74 yards on 20 carries.

Rookie QB, Drake Maye, orchestrated the New England leading them to the redzone five times, but only scoring on one drive. Maye gathered 184 yards through the air on 15/25 passing attempts for a touchdown and 24 yards on the ground on 4 carries.

Austin Hooper led the team in receiving yards, as he caught 3 passes for 64 yards. DeMario Douglas recorded 50 yards on 4 receptions.

Rookie WR, Ja’Lynn Polk, scored the only touchdown in the game when he caught a 2-yard TD reception.

For Chicago, they were led by their defense. The Bears’ defense allowed five trips to the red zone, but only gave up a single touchdown.

T.J. Edwards recorded a team high in total tackles with 13 and added an interception. Kevin Byrad III assisted with 11 total tackles and a pass breakup.

Jacob Martin earned the team’s sole sack and added 3 total tackles.

On offense, Caleb Williams completed 16 of 30 passing attempts for 120 yards and was sacked 9 times, after being sacked 6 times last week.

Keenan Allen had 5 receptions for 44 yards.

With this win, The Patriots moved to 3-7 as they continue to develop their young core. Meanwhile, with this loss, the Bears playoff chances continue to dwindle as they drop their 3^rd game in a row.

New England’s Defense Returns to Physical Form

Over the course of the season, playing with physicality has been one of the Patriots biggest challenges, but this performance against the Bears could be an indicator of what this New England team would look like in the future.

After struggling to stop the run and get to the passer, the Patriots’ defense recorded a season-high in sacks with 9 and allowed under 100 rushing yards for the first time since week two.

“I thought the guys really answered the challenge that we had all during the week,” Jerod Mayo. “Talked about [being] physical [on] Wednesday and I think that showed up today really in all three phases”.

“Defensively, I would say we were able to get pressure on the quarter back,” said Mayo. “We had 9 sacks in the game, which is always good. And, I would say that the back end did a good job as far as coverage is concerned”.

Due to several injuries, New England has had to start many young players on defense. Though there have been some defensive struggles, the young core of defensive players continues to improve and develop week-by-week.

“I’ve been saying it all year, we are a young defense forced into a lot of starting positions,” said Keion White. “What you guys are seeing is us figure it out. I feel like we are becoming a more cohesive unit week to week, and I think the trajectory is in the right path”.

New England’s offense also seems to be playing with more physicality and developing as a unit. After struggling to run the ball and convert on 3^rd down last week, the Patriots offense was able to combine for 144 rushing yards and convert on 3^rd down 5 times this week.

“Offensively, we were able to deliver those body blows that we talked about and staying ahead of the sticks,” said Jerod Mayo. “The prior week, there was a lot of 2^nd and long situations that really took us of track”.

Up Next

Next week, the New England Patriots will return home to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. On the other hand, the Chicago Bears will remain at Soldier Field and welcome their rivals, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday.