Breaking down seven key sequences in the loss to the Bears through video analysis, including the failed offensive opening drive, bad defensive calls and execution, Drake Maye's interception and missed opportunities late:
3-6-CHI 46 (12:16) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson left guard to CHI 45 for 1 yard (D.Jackson).
4-5-CHI 45 (11:35) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at CHI 46 for -1 yards (K.Gordon).
I'm sure everyone hated the draw call on the opening drive, but the play was there in multiple ways to at least set up a short distance to go for it on fourth down.
I initially thought RG Matt Pryor was wrong for not pulling into the B gap, but I now don't think he was wrong. The real failures were from LG Walter Rouse, C Jared Wilson and WR DeMario Douglas. Rouse, in his first start at LG, was thrown off when the Bears bailed out of his assignment and doesn't block anyone. Wilson doesn't quite seal the backside tackle, and Douglas doesn't execute his block. That probably led to Rhamondre Stevenson not bouncing the play outside where the Patriots had terrific numbers for a big play. In any event, there's no way this play should only gain 1 yard. The call was good. The play was there. The execution was terrible.
On fourth down, I did not love the called routes. Drake Maye didn't have anything. He should have recognized that quickly and tried to make a play with his legs. Instead, he tried to throw a jump pass to no one — really, I can't figure out who he might have thrown to. It's not a minus play because no one was open and the protection broke down, but you'd really like Maye just make a play with his legs here to bail everyone out.
2-9-CHI 38 (2:32) (Shotgun) C.Williams pass deep left to L.Burden to NE 4 for 58 yards (K.Byard).
The Bears quick-snapped here when the Patriots were not ready and I think it directly led to a) (another) failed slot blitz by Marcus Jones, and b) a coverage bust between Christian Elliss and Charles Woods that leaves Luther Burden open by about 15 yards in the middle of the field. I have no clue what Elliss and Woods are doing or supposed to be doing, especially Woods. Just a complete bust on 2nd and long.
1-10-CHI 15 (3:32) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep right intended for E.Raridon INTERCEPTED by D.Jackson at CHI -7. Touchback.
The right call and read, Maye just made a terrible pass.
The Patriots got single high, Maye tries to hold the safety and does to get Eli Raridon 1-on-1 in the seam with the linebacker. The play is there if Maye throws a touch pass with arch over the linebacker, and preferably to the back shoulder. Instead, Maye throws a flat pass that is underthrown by 5 yards.
Raridon is the No. 1 read. If the safety goes to Raridon, then Efton Chism is the No. 2 on the crosser. It needed to be thrown to Raridon.
3-17-NE 24 (:21) (Shotgun) C.Williams pass short right to L.Burden for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Not much to say here. Just terrible defense to allow an untouched touchdown on 3rd and 17.
3-2-CHI 36 (13:52) (Shotgun) C.Williams scrambles left end pushed ob at CHI 41 for 5 yards (C.Woods).
2-14-NE 43 (11:04) (Shotgun) C.Williams pass deep left to C.Loveland to NE 21 for 22 yards (J.Reed).
2-1-NE 12 (9:48) C.Williams pass short left to C.Loveland for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
So the first play is an underrated play that I didn't recognize after the game. It's third down, the Patriots had great coverage down the field (besides Woods, who is lost again - didn't want to give Kindle Vildor a chance at any point?). But the pass rush discipline completely breaks down. Cory Durden hauls ass up the field behind Caleb Williams. Dre'Mont Jones doesn't maintain edge integrity to the backside. And Christian Elliss, who is spying Williams, runs right into the pocket to get blocked by a lineman, and is out of the play as Williams escapes on the backside for the first down. They should have gotten off the field here but the drive continued and ended in a touchdown.
On second and very long, the Bears again quick snap and the Patriots can't time up another blitz. But the key to this play is Williams throwing Loveland open with anticipation under pressure. Remember that for a Maye play later.
And then the Bears score another easy touchdown. Is it really a good idea to a) have Marcus Jones on Colston Loveland, and b) give him 10 yards of cushion? I'm not sure how much easier the Patriots could have made it on the Bears.
1-10-NE 43 (7:57) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete short left to D.Douglas.
2-10-NE 43 (7:52) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at NE 33 for -10 yards (sack split by D.Thieneman and D.Hardy).
This is the drive after the missed field goal, when a touchdown would give the Patriots the lead.
The first-down pass to DeMario Douglas is there. During the game, I thought the pass was deflected because it landed 3 feet short. It was not. Maye just missed the pass. In the fourth quarter of a close game against a good team, Maye needs to hit this pass. Actually, he needs to hit it all the time. The play was there.
On second down, TreVeyon Henderson, Hunter Henry, Will Campbell and Matt Pryor all lose their blocks leading to a stampede at Maye. But if Maye throws with anticipation to Douglas, the play is there. Again, in the fourth quarter of a close game against a good team, Maye needs to hit this pass. That's the elite play. It's there to be made.
2-12-CHI 29 (3:32) (Shotgun) C.Williams pass short right to R.Odunze to 50 for 21 yards (C.Gonzalez; K.Byard).
This play basically ends the game. A five-man pressure with 5-10 yard cushions all over the place, including by Christian Gonzalez, your $30 million corner. What's the point of this coverage? And how does a 10-yard hook go for 21 yards? Just terrible defense, from Zak Kuhr's call to the lack of an immediate tackle by Gonzalez and Kevin Byard.