The New England Patriots squared off with the Chicago Bears in a foggy matchup at Gillette Stadium on Monday night, losing 33-14.
The week leading up to the game was headlined by speculation as to whether quarterback Mac Jones would return from injury and immediately re-insert himself as the team’s starter. However, a bad interception by Jones late in the first quarter thrust rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe into the game.
Zappe, who had been playing very well in Jones’ stead over the past few weeks, immediately led the Patriots on a touchdown drive, capping it off with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers.
Despite the second-quarter heroics from Zappe and the rest of the offense, the Patriots just couldn’t keep the positive momentum going. Chicago scored 23 unanswered points throughout the remainder of the game on a New England defense that just couldn’t stop their offense.
Even the ever-positive Mike Reiss couldn’t find any good things to say about New England’s crushing defeat.
CHI 33, NE 14
🤮 🤢
⬆️ None
⬇️ Everyone
❓ QB question with Mac and Zappe
🚑 Andrews, Dugger
3⃣-4⃣ record … last place in AFC East
✈️ Next: at Jets
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 25, 2022
Here are four takeaways from the game.