The Bears honored Mike Ditka pregame. They honored him with a win, too.
Chicago led from start to finish — though it made things interesting all night — and held off the Patriots 30-24. The Bears are 5-2 and the Patriots 4-3.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a career-long 58-yard field goal with 1:34 remaining to give Chicago a two-score lead. It came one snap after Caleb Williams inexplicably took a 10-yard sack on third-and-5 at the New England 30. It appeared to push the Bears out of field-goal range, but Ben Johnson trusted his kicker, who missed earlier from 53 off the right upright.
The Patriots quickly got in field-goal range, and Andy Borregales kicked a 47-yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining. Trailing by six, the Patriots tried an onside kick, but Rome Odunze recovered for the Bears.
The Bears led 10-0 early and 20-7 with 14 seconds left in the first half but allowed a last-play touchdown to the Patriots as Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 48-yard catch-and-run. It was back and forth until time ran out on the Patriots.
Chicago outgained New England 405 to 380 as Williams went 22-of-33 for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Luther Burden caught four passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half, and four other receivers had at least three catches.
D'Andre Swift had 22 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Drake Maye was 24-of-31 for 321 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 26 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Stevenson had five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown and ran for 22 yards on six carries.
A.J. Brown, after his three-drop game on Sunday, had three receptions for 48 yards.