Kevin Fishbain

With 19.86 million average viewers, Bears-Patriots was the second most-watched Thursday night game on Prime.

Talked to Ryan Poles in August about the value Cole Kmet brought to the organization. “He’s Mr. Dependable, and that’s not just something where you show up in practice or a game and it happens. It’s work ethic." Story on what the Bears will miss without Kmet

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Fines from Bears-Falcons… - Jahdae Walker $5,620 for roughing the kicker - Jahdae Walker $5,620 for unnecessary roughness (use of helmet) - Falcons WR Chris Blair $5,972 for unnecessary roughness (blindside block on Atlanta’s first kickoff return — was not flagged)

My conversation this morning with Dan Patrick on the Bears and the NFC North

The Bears placed Cole Kmet on IR. Montez Sweat’s suspension is over and he returns to the 53-man roster.

Ben Johnson said the trick play to Joe Thuney was originally a fumblerooski where they put the ball on the ground, and, "in hindsight, might have been the way to go." Johnson: "Shooters shoot. We shot, we missed."

Bears head coach Ben Johnson on RG Jonah Jackson: "This guy's as tough as they come. He said earlier in the week, 'Hey, I'm playing. I'm going. I want this.' ... He's just wired the right way."

It is a season-ending injury. Johnson on Kmet: "He's going to be sorely missed. He's Chicago. He's a big part of our heartbeat. It stinks. I hate it for him. I hate it for his teammates as well."

Bears head coach Ben Johnson says TE Cole Kmet has a serious knee injury and he'll be placed on IR later on today.

Percentage of games with 30+ points scored, by Bears head coach… Ben Johnson 33.3% Matt Eberflus 17.4% Matt Nagy 18.4% John Fox 4.2% Marc Trestman 18.8%

"A Bears national game used to be 'Must-Miss TV,' complete with sad graphics about quarterback failures and a reminder that Sid Luckman remains the franchise GOAT." Not anymore. Column by Jon Greenberg (still not on here!)

Offering Bears thoughts on a few other platforms today... 920a — Dan Patrick Show 10a — Reddit AMA www.reddit.com/r/CHIBears/c... 1225p — 104.3 The Score

Caleb Williams had 8 passes of 20+ yards, a career-best and tied for the best for a Bears QB this century. Odunze, Burden and Loveland combined for 15 catches for 268 yards and two TDs. Story from Soldier Field on the explosive pass game (free to read)

It wasn't always pretty, but that's a gritty win. Bears 30, Patriots 24 The Bears are 5-2

I could not believe they were attempting a field goal ... and, wow. Cairo Santos from 58, a career-long. Bears 30, Patriots 21

Bears TE Cole Kmet leaves the field on a cart after suffering an injury to his right knee.

The second-and-10 run that got stuffed for a loss could be examined if the Bears don't hang on ... forced to settle for a 53-yard field goal after a couple big-time conversions and Cairo Santos missed.

Bears CB Malik Muhammad (toe) is doubtful to return.

Drake Maye had himself a drive right there, ending it with a 30-yard touchdown pass. He's 18-of-22 passing tonight. Bears 27, Patriots 21

Bears offense needed a response, and they delivered. 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:19 Bears 27, Patriots 14

1st half play counts for the Bears… Odunze 29 Swift 25 Loveland 24 Raymond 23 Burden 22 Kmet 16 Johnson 6 Roush 5 Walker 2 Thomas 1

Via @stathead.com, there have been only 18 plays of 45+ yards with 3 seconds or less left in the 1st half since 1977. Only 7 went for scores. That was the first one since Baker Mayfield threw a 57-yard TD to Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2021. Bears 20, Patriots 14

Absolute disaster of a moment for the Bears' defense.

Luther Burden has 4 catches on 4 targets for 130 yards. Ideal drive for the Bears, leaving only 14 seconds on the clock for New England, and they get the ball after halftime.

Luther Burden shot out of a cannon, and Darnell Wright out in front with the brigade of blockers, and the Bears convert a third-and-17 for the second week in a row — this time for a TD. Bears 20, Patriots 7

That's the second INT of D'Marco Jackson's career, and the Bears have the opportunity for a double-tap. They get the ball to start the second half.

Was really excited to write an oral history of the handoff to Joe Thuney for 2 yards but, it instead it was an illegal forward handoff. Bears 13, Patriots 7

Ozzy Trapilo is at left tackle for this Bears drive.

The Patriots marched 74 yards in 9 plays for their first points of the night, and they only had to snap it on one third down — a third-and-2. Bears 10, Patriots 7

The 58-yarder from Caleb Williams to Luther Burden was the Bears' longest pass play since Colston Loveland's game-winner in Cincinnati last season. Bears 10, Patriots 0

All the Bears needed was a 26-yard throw from Caleb Williams to Luther Burden (and a field goal from Cairo Santos) to take the early lead. Will be curious to hear about that third-down play. Raymond was wide open and that ball came quick. Bears 3, Patriots 0

Kyler Gordon is now tied for Bears team lead with 4 sacks on the season.

Kyler Gordon gets the start for the Bears at nickel corner.

Only Grady Jarrett and Joe Thuney at midfield for the Bears at the coin toss. For the first time this season, the Bears won the coin toss. They deferred. Patriots ball. Here we go...

Bears inactives: RB Kyle Monangai, CB Nick McCloud, OL Jordan McFadden, DT Jayden Loving, LB Jack Sanborn, LB T.J. Edwards, QB Case Keenum (emergency No. 3 QB) RG Jonah Jackson is officially active, along with CB Tyrique Stevenson. CB Christian Gonzalez is active for the Patriots.

The Patriots just downgraded CB Christian Gonzalez to questionable with an illness.

Hello from Soldier Field. The Bears last beat the Patriots here in 2000, when Shane Matthews threw touchdown passes to Eddie Kennison and James Allen in a 24-17 victory. Jim Flanigan and Rosevelt Colvin each had a sack of Drew Bledsoe.

The Bears elevated RB Zavier Scott and LB Buddy Johnson from the practice squad for tonight’s game.

Caleb vs. Drake, Part II — understandable if Bears fans erased Part I from their memory. Colleagues @danwiederer.bsky.social and @chadgraff.bsky.social on the QBs

Mike Vrabel has never played or coached at Soldier Field. As a player, his only road game against the Bears came in 2002 ... in Champaign. Anyway, I found that interesting. Here are some more tidbits for tonight, key matchups to watch, and our game picks (free to read)

This deep dive by @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social and @sandonfl.bsky.social on headsets in the NFL is awesome. So many fun anecdotes, and great info (and art) to explain how it all works

Bears injury report... Out: Jack Sanborn, Kyle Monangai Doubtful: T.J. Edwards Questionable: Tyrique Stevenson No injury designation for Jonah Jackson, Keyshaun Elliott

Sick play by Devin Bush (#12). Slips the puller and keeps himself clean so he can make this tackle

The Bears had a walkthrough today. Estimated injury report… DNP: T.J. Edwards, Kyle Monangai, Jack Sanborn Limited: Jonah Jackson Full: Keyshaun Elliott, Tyrique Stevenson

What allowed the hook and ladder to work so perfectly? What stood out about Caleb Williams' strike to Rome Odunze on third-and-17? How effective was Daniel Hardy as a pass rusher? Another banana ball? Looking back at 5 key moments from the Bears win (free to read)