Patriots vs. Bears: Tom Brady and New England Bury Chicago Defense in Win
Published by Brian Marchetti on December 13, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Patriots came to Soldier Field Sunday along with a fierce storm rivaled only by the Patriots’ offensive explosiveness.
The Bears‘ defense, which ranked third in the NFL at kickoff, proved almost nonexistent against Tom Brady who threw for a season-high 369 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The weather, which appeared blinding at times when gusts of wind caused near whiteouts, seemed to favor the visitors. Bears defensive players slid on the snow-covered field as Patriots ball-carriers zipped by accumulating 475 yards of total offense.
The Bears’ inability to hold onto the ball proved disastrous. Wide receiver Johnny Knox’s fumble was brought back for a touchdown in the second quarter moving the score to 21-0. Jay Cutler fumbled during a sack and threw two interceptions late in the game.
At the end of the first half, the Patriots led 33 to nothing. It was the most points allowed in a first half by the Bears at Soldier Field. The last touchdown of the half caught the Bears hibernating as wide receiver Deion Branch caught a 59-yard touchdown pass as the last seconds of the first half ticked away.
The Bears failed to apply any kind of consistent pressure on Brady and he picked apart the Cover 2 defense with ease. The Patriots converted 12 of 19 third downs as they called a mix of passes and runs that seemed to baffle one the NFL’s top defenses.
“We got our butts kicked,” said Brian Urlacher. “They are the best team in the NFL.”
The Patriots have put up more than 30 points in their last six games, including 39 on the Steelers and 45 against the Jets. While this proves the offensive superiority of the Patriots, the Bears need to play better if they expect to have any chance at the Lombardi Trophy.
While a loss of this magnitude may seem to expose the Bears, there is no need to panic. The Bears remain in first place in the NFC North after the Packers lost to the Lions earlier in the day.
Next week, the Bears face the Minnesota Vikings at a venue yet to be determined due to the structural damage done to the Metrodome. The Packers head out east to face the Patriots. With a Bears win and a Packers loss, the Bears win the NFC North.
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