Rhamondre Stevenson Explains How Bears’ Defensive Alignment Helped His Stunning 48-Yard Touchdown

Rhamondre Stevenson Explains His 48-Yard Touchdown Against Bears© Instagram

Rhamondre Stevenson saw an opening before he caught the ball. The Patriots running back credited Chicago's defensive alignment for helping create his 48-yard touchdown on the final play of Thursday's first half, a catch-and-run that hauled New England back into a game slipping away at Soldier Field. The Bears had just gone ahead 20–7. Instead of carrying that cushion into the locker room, they watched Stevenson turn a short completion from Drake Maye into six points. The extra point cut Chicago's lead to 20–14 as both teams headed into halftime.

Maye Anticipated Pressure On The Final Play

Maye anticipated pressure rather than a comfortable pocket from which to launch a deep pass. Getting the ball out gave Stevenson a chance to run, with teammates ahead of him available to block.

The quarterback's explanation afterward was less about a miracle than the numbers in front of the ball carrier. Once New England released its receivers, Maye believed the play could come down to one cut.And this was no play the Patriots had hastily invented on the sideline. Maye said they had been working on it since organized team activities.

“It definitely brought us some life at halftime,” he said.

Stevenson's score was the longest touchdown reception of his career. His receiving work also gave New England something its conventional running game could not provide Thursday: consistent yardage.He finished with 93 receiving yards, a career high, while managing just 22 yards on six carries.

Patriots Struggle To Establish Their Running Game

The rest of the backfield found little room either. TreVeyon Henderson gained nine yards on three attempts, and Corey Kiner added 13 on four. Together, the three backs produced 44 rushing yards.

Mike Vrabel had expected better on the ground. Afterward, the Patriots coach acknowledged that his offense had needed to move the ball through other means.

Maye did that, finishing with 321 passing yards and two touchdown throws. He also ran for a score. New England nevertheless lost 30–24, ending its three-game winning streak and dropping to 4–3.

Chicago answered Stevenson's touchdown by opening the second half with a scoring drive capped by Colston Loveland's touchdown catch. The Patriots got within six again on Maye's scoring pass to Eli Raridon, but never took the lead.

Cairo Santos eventually made a 58-yard field goal to give the Bears a nine-point advantage with 1:34 remaining. A late New England field goal narrowed the gap, before Chicago recovered the onside kick and finished the game.