Caleb Williams threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Bears held off Drake Maye and the New England Patriots 30-24 on Thursday night at Soldier Field. It was the second meeting between the young quarterbacks since they were drafted in 2024. Maye, selected third overall by New England, led the Patriots to a 19-3 win over Williams and the Bears when the longtime friends were rookies. This time, Williams, the No 1 overall pick, leaned on Luther Burden and Colston Loveland to outlast Maye in the rematch. Williams connected on 22 of 33 passes in his second game back after a hamstring injury.
Burden led Chicago with four catches for 130 yards, while Loveland added a 12-yard touchdown reception. Cairo Santos then kicked a 58-yard field goal with 1:34 remaining, matching the franchise record and setting a new career best after missing a 53-yard attempt earlier in the fourth quarter. The win moves the Bears to 5-2, keeping pressure on NFC North leaders Minnesota, while the Patriots fall to 4-3.
Maye completed 24 of 31 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for a seven-yard score as well. However, he was intercepted in the end zone by Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson late in the second quarter. Rhamondre Stevenson had five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown for New England, while rookie tight end Eli Raridon added a 30-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
The game was Chicago's first home game since Bears legend Mike Ditka died on October 9. The team paid tribute with a pregame moment of silence, and fans in the crowd of 60,520 were handed fake moustaches in his honour.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing