In the Chicago Bears' final primetime game of the 2022 season, they came away with a stunning victory over the New England Patriots, 33-14. This was the first time in franchise history that the Bears beat the Patriots in Foxboro, and they did so in dramatic fashion. Every phase of the team was humming, and several players and coaches had the best performances of their careers.
If I tried, I could probably give out a dozen game balls, but I'll limit myself to three.
Justin Fields
Fields had himself a 'statement game.' He again put the team on his back and willed them to a victory. At one point, Fields accounted for 207 of the team's 247 total yards. He was accurate and on time in the passing game, and he was virtually unstoppable as a runner, picking up multiple first downs and a touchdown with his legs.
Fields has shown throughout the 2022 season that he is the franchise quarterback this team has been looking for since the days of Sid Luckman. There's been baseless chatter and rumors on social media suggesting Poles might draft a quarterback in the first round next year to replace Fields. Hopefully, this dominant performance on prime time, against a defense and coach known for giving young quarterbacks absolute nightmares, will convince even the most hardened haters that Fields is here to stay.
Cairo Santos
The unsung hero of a night filled with highlight-reel interceptions and touchdowns, Santos was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, with his longest being 50 yards.
This is no small feat, considering how foggy and wet the weather was in Foxboro on Monday. Bears fans know that Santos is automatic, and he is quietly beginning yet another streak of consecutive made field goals. He gave the Bears twelve badly needed points on a night when Chicago moved the ball well but still struggled to find the endzone.
He's a perfect 11-for-11 on the season, plus six more going back to last year, for a running total of 17 field goals without a miss.
Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon
I will make defensive backs Brisker and Gordon share this game ball, as both came down with their first career interceptions last night.
Brisker picked off Mac Jones in the red zone with an amazing leap and one-handed snag, and Gordon's interception of Bailey Zappe late in the fourth quarter was also a one-handed grab that sealed the win for the Bears.
Brisker has been a defensive force all season, so his impressive performance last night (seven tackles, one interception, and one pass defended) was nothing new. Gordon had, let's be honest, an atrocious start to his career, but over the last four games has seemingly turned a corner. With this statement game on prime time, Brisker and Gordon reminded the entire NFL not to judge draft classes too early.
Honorable Mentions: Head Coach Matt Eberflus and his coordinators (Luke Getsy, Alan Williams, Richard Hightower), Khalil Herbert, David Montgomery, Sam Mustipher, Roquan Smith, Domonique Robinson, and Braxton Jones.