Bears Dominate Patriots, Spark Quarterback Controversy

The Chicago Bears overwhelmed the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 7, thoroughly dismantling the once-proud franchise in a 33-14 blowout. The Bears jumped out to 10-0 lead after the first quarter, motivating the Patriots to execute a quarterback change that briefly gave them life with a 14-10 second-quarter lead. But the Bears pulled away again, scoring 23 unanswered points to walk away with a shocking win.

Mac Jones has been pulled and Bailey Zappe is in at QB 👀

📺: Bears-Patriots on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2vJpEM5UXu
— ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2022

The story of the game this week will likely be the full-blown quarterback controversy the Patriots ignited by pulling starting quarterback Mac Jones in the second quarter. Jones led a pair of three-and-outs to open the game and sabotaged a promising third drive with an interception before the Patriots had seen enough.

Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe entered and immediately led two thrilling touchdown drives that had the New England faithful in attendance losing their minds, but that would be the end of the excitement. Zappe followed up his incredible start with a series of ineffectual drives, turning the ball over three times and failing to score another point. For a moment, it had seemed like Zappe could very well snatch the starting job indefinitely for the Patriots, but his second-half collapse will keep the debate raging.

Khalil Herbert to the house untouched! @JuiceHerbert

📺: #CHIvsNE on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2HQeNdaFPc pic.twitter.com/QKKpTgYarK
— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2022

Lost in the shuffle of the Patriots' quarterback struggles was the Bears' quarterback triumph. Second-year passer Justin Fields had one of the most thrilling games of his young career, netting 147 passing yards and rushing for another 82. Those numbers undersell Fields' effectiveness; he converted countless crucial third downs and responded with clutch, gutsy plays at opportune times, perhaps none more so than a crucial touchdown pass to Khalil Herbert to snatch back momentum after Zappe's entry. Fields' increased willingness to run the ball unlocked a potent rushing attack that totalled 243 yards on 45 attempts and potentially established a blueprint for future success.

Looking ahead to Week 8, the Chicago Bears will visit the Dallas Cowboys, and the New England Patriots will go on the road to face the New York Jets in an important AFC East showdown.