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

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.

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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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Luther Burden III #10 of the Chicago Bears celebrates during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Oct. 22, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

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.

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Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 22, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

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.

Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots scrambles during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 22, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

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.

Rhamondre Stevenson No. 38 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 22, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

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.

Caleb Williams No. 18 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Oct. 22, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

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Alejandro Avila is a longtime writer at OutKick, living in Southern California.