Williams Shines, Bears Route Patriots 30-24

Read Time:3 Minute, 25 Second

By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears cooled off Drake Maye and the New England Patriots with a 30-24 win on Thursday night.

Bears After Dark ™️ pic.twitter.com/WBVS36oVHy

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Williams was 22 of 33 passing in his second game back after being sidelined by a right hamstring injury. He became the first Bears quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in consecutive games since Mitch Trubisky had a three-game run in 2018.

LET'S GOOOOO pic.twitter.com/rkQbIVkDaA

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Williams outdueled Maye in their second meeting since the longtime friends were part of the 2024 NFL draft. Williams went No. 1 to Chicago, and Maye was selected by New England at No. 3.

Clutch.

📺: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/kmtR0AQ2Ur

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Luther Burden had four catches for 130 yards for Chicago (5-2), and Colston Loveland had a 12-yard touchdown reception. Cairo Santos kicked a 58-yard field goal with 1:34 left, a career long and matching the franchise record, after he missed a 53-yard attempt earlier in the final quarter.

GOOD FROM 58 🙌 pic.twitter.com/YbbTQbeK0q

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Maye was 24 for 31 for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a costly interception in the end zone in the first half.

@RomeOdunze SNAGGED that

📺: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/pxd9LY1sgp

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

New England (4-3) had won three consecutive games behind Maye, who threw 10 TD passes and one interception during the win streak.

Hardy's at it again 🕺 pic.twitter.com/3MEZ8tW8w1

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Rhamondre Stevenson had five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown for the Patriots. Eli Raridon had a 30-yard TD catch in the third quarter.

Christian Barmore sack drives em back.

📺 Prime Video pic.twitter.com/xblB61RmST

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 23, 2026

After Santos’ long field goal, Maye drove New England into range for Andy Borregales’ 47-yarder with 37 seconds to go. But Chicago recovered the ensuing onside kick.

Drake Maye DIME to Eli Raridon 🪙

📺 Prime Video pic.twitter.com/ajUvbcD8Oo

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 23, 2026

It was Chicago’s first home game since Mike Ditka died on Oct. 9. The Bears saluted the Hall of Fame tight end and longtime coach with a pregame moment of silence, and they also handed out fake mustaches to the crowd of 60,520 at Soldier Field.

@DrakeMaye2 keeping the play alive.

📺 Prime Video pic.twitter.com/M7msELIr2S

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 23, 2026

Ditka’s No. 89 jersey dotted the stands, and fans also donned Bears sweaters in a callback to what Ditka wore on the sideline as a coach.

Colston Loveland's a tough man to bring down 😮‍💨

📺: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/WzJbD7jjTV

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Chicago opened a 20-7 lead on Burden’s 24-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left in the first half. Burden got the ball on a screen on third-and-17, and Loveland, Kalif Raymond and Darnell Wright helped clear the way for his second TD reception of the season.

Not the stanky leg 😂 pic.twitter.com/9PxlgneZvJ

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Set to receive the second-half kickoff, the Bears were in position to pull away. But the Patriots responded with Stevenson’s 48-yard touchdown reception on the final play of the period.

PROBLEM CHILD 😈

📺: Prime Video pic.twitter.com/bgRHrPs3hr

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Stevenson slipped out of the backfield and Maye lobbed the ball over the head of Bears safety Cam Lewis. Stevenson ran away from Lewis and got a downfield block from DeMario Douglas before cutting past Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on his way to the end zone.

A moment of silence for Mike Ditka 💙 pic.twitter.com/DqW84ffCUg

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 23, 2026

Injuries
Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez played after being listed as questionable because of an illness. … S Kevin Byard departed after he was checked out by trainers with 9:44 left in first half. He later returned. … DT Christian Barmore departed late in the game.