By David McDonnell
We mentioned in our preview of this game that there may be a quarterback controversy on the horizon in New England, we just didn’t expect it to happen by the second quarter.
The visiting Chicago Bears led by 10 points after Justin Fields ran inside the endzone from three yards out.
A few minutes later when rookie safety Jaquan Brisker intercepted Mac Jones, Bill Belichick gave the quarterback the dreaded curly finger and signaled to rookie fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe to enter the fray, much to the loud acclaim of the home crowd. I don’t remember a late-round rookie QB becoming a cult hero so soon, as he only started two games before this entrance.
A few players later, Zappe found Jakobi Myers on a busted coverage and the wide receiver did well to catch and then dive from the ground for a Patriots touchdown.
Jones showed his class by congratulating his teammate on his pass. On the next drive, a Fields pass was tipped by Matthew Judon and ended up being picked by corner-back Myles Bryant.
It gave Zappe back the ball and again he made them pay when he found Devante Parker way down the field. By this time, the home crowd were off their feet and before they sat down, the drive was finished off by Rhamondre Stevenson for a 10-14 Pats lead.
We learned watching Monday Night Football that Bailey Zappe’s was named after Scott Wolfe’s character in the 90’s television series ‘Party of Five’ It was the programme that made household names of Neve Campbell and Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the doctor guy form Lost. Bailey showed extensive knowledge of ‘turn of the century’ popular culture by signing along to a wonderful tune from that period of music.
Fields was using his legs to good effect and a battle between himself and Matthew Judon was bubbling up. Judon recorded 3.5 sacks in the first two quarters in addition to the deflected pass that resulted in a turnover. Inside the two minute warning Fields got rid of the ball under severe pressure and found Khalil Herbert who ran in from 25 yards.
The Bears extended their lead with three Carlos Santos field goals to lead 26-14 by the end of the third quarter. David Montgomery punched it home in the fourth for a touchdown on the eighth play of the drive. It added up to 23 points scored without reply, as Chicago ran our comfortable winners long before the end.
Read our Week 7 Monday review column here: https://tinyurl.com/26z7c9v2
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