Rhamondre Stevenson Turned a Last-Second Catch Into a Patriots Spark Against the Bears originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Patriots needed something to go right before halftime against the Bears. Rhamondre Stevenson gave them a whole lot more than a routine catch.
With time running out in the second quarter, Drake Maye found Stevenson on a short pass. Stevenson spotted a lane, hit it at full speed and turned the catch into a 48-yard touchdown as the clock expired. New England went into the break trailing Chicago 20-14, but the play gave the Patriots a jolt just when they needed one.
A Short Catch, a Long Sprint
The distance after the catch is what made the play special. Stevenson picked up 47 yards after the reception, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s 23 yards more than the model expected him to gain after the catch.
RHAMONDRE STEVENSON GOES 48 YARDS FOR A TOUCHDOWN ON THE FINAL PLAY OF THE HALF 😱 (via @NFL) https://t.co/f0f7Sca1ZT
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 23, 2026
The scoring odds were even more eye-catching: Stevenson had just a 4.3% chance of reaching the end zone when he caught the ball. He made the most of that opening, turning a play that looked like a simple option underneath into a touchdown that changed the feel of the half.
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The Scoreboard Swing
The touchdown did more than give New England six points. Next Gen Stats said the play more than doubled the Patriots’ win probability, from 10.2% to 24.5%. The Patriots were still chasing the Bears at halftime, but Stevenson’s dash kept the deficit to six and gave New England momentum heading into the locker room.
It was the kind of play that makes a defense regret giving a running back even a little space. Stevenson caught the ball, found daylight and made the Bears pay before they could get to halftime. For Patriots fans, it was a thrilling reminder that a short pass can become a game-changing moment when the ball finds the right playmaker.