New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears: 2018 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-10-21, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 38–31 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with +9.22 total EPA, and -8.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.33 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-21.0% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (6:05) 16-P.O'Donnell punt is BLOCKED by 54-D.Hightower, Center-48-P.Scales, RECOVERED by NE-53-K.Van Noy at CHI 29. 53-K.Van Noy for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +14.33 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Trubisky · Chicago Bears · Passing · +9.22 total EPA · 61 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Burton · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +8.50 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
4. 4 J. White · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.81 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Gordon · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.03 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Hogan · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Cohen · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.01 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — J. Edelman (T. Brady pass) (Q1 56:05)
• Chicago Bears — M. Trubisky (Q1 46:12)
• Chicago Bears — J. Howard (Q2 41:07)
• New England Patriots — C. Patterson (Q2 41:05)
• New England Patriots — J. White (T. Brady pass) (Q2 34:04)
• Chicago Bears — T. Cohen (M. Trubisky pass) (Q3 27:10)
• New England Patriots — P. O'Donnell (Q3 21:05)
• New England Patriots — J. White (T. Brady pass) (Q4 8:44)
• Chicago Bears — T. Burton (M. Trubisky pass) (Q4 4:17)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — C. Parkey (Q1 48:55)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 22:52)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CHI 9 (Q1 56:05) — (11:05) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 11-J.Edelman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE-15-C.Hogan was injured during the play.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 56:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the NE 28 (Q1 48:55) — (3:55) 1-C.Parkey 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q1 46:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky scrambles left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 45:59) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q2 41:07) — (11:07) (Shotgun) 24-J.Howard left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 41:05) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the CHI 35 (Q2 41:05) — 1-C.Parkey kicks 60 yards from CHI 35 to NE 5. 84-C.Patterson for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 40:48) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the CHI 5 (Q2 34:04) — (4:04) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 33:58) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q3 27:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short left to 29-T.Cohen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 27:04) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CHI 11 (Q3 22:52) — (7:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 55 (Q3 21:05); New England Patriots added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 20:53) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CHI 2 (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-J.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 8:40) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NE 11 (Q4 4:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short right to 80-T.Burton for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 4:13) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Chicago Bears (Q3 21:05) — (6:05) 16-P.O'Donnell punt is BLOCKED by 54-D.Hightower, Center-48-P.Scales, RECOVERED by NE-53-K.Van Noy at CHI 29. 53-K.Van Noy for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.0% · EPA -6.71]
• New England Patriots (Q1 48:50) — 1-C.Parkey kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to NE 0. 84-C.Patterson to NE 22 for 22 yards (44-N.Kwiatkoski). FUMBLES (44-N.Kwiatkoski), RECOVERED by CHI-36-D.Houston-Carson at NE 24. 36-D.Houston-Carson to [WPA -17.0% · EPA -5.19]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 28:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky scrambles left end to NE 1 for 39 yards (54-D.Hightower). [WPA +12.7% · EPA +2.85]
• New England Patriots (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 26-S.Michel left tackle to NE 38 for no gain (98-B.Nichols). FUMBLES (98-B.Nichols), RECOVERED by CHI-98-B.Nichols at NE 36. 98-B.Nichols to NE 36 for no gain (26-S.Michel). NE-26-S.Michel was [WPA -12.7% · EPA -5.07]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 30:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short middle to 29-T.Cohen to NE 20 for 20 yards (95-D.Rivers). [WPA -11.8% · EPA -1.00]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Chicago Bears (Q3 21:05) — (6:05) 16-P.O'Donnell punt is BLOCKED by 54-D.Hightower, Center-48-P.Scales, RECOVERED by NE-53-K.Van Noy at CHI 29. 53-K.Van Noy for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.0% · EPA -6.71]
• New England Patriots (Q2 41:05) — 1-C.Parkey kicks 60 yards from CHI 35 to NE 5. 84-C.Patterson for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.6% · EPA +6.17]
• New England Patriots (Q1 48:50) — 1-C.Parkey kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to NE 0. 84-C.Patterson to NE 22 for 22 yards (44-N.Kwiatkoski). FUMBLES (44-N.Kwiatkoski), RECOVERED by CHI-36-D.Houston-Carson at NE 24. 36-D.Houston-Carson to [WPA -17.0% · EPA -5.19]
• New England Patriots (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 26-S.Michel left tackle to NE 38 for no gain (98-B.Nichols). FUMBLES (98-B.Nichols), RECOVERED by CHI-98-B.Nichols at NE 36. 98-B.Nichols to NE 36 for no gain (26-S.Michel). NE-26-S.Michel was [WPA -12.7% · EPA -5.07]

Quarterback report card

M.Trubisky led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Trubisky (Chicago Bears) · 61 dropbacks · 42.6% completion · -8.0% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +9.22 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 38 dropbacks · 65.8% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +14.33 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Chicago Bears: 14 drives, -3.69 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 13 drives, +8.27 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Trubisky (CHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 56:05 · CHI 9 · Score 6-0
   (11:05) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 11-J.Edelman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE-15-C.Hogan was injured during the play.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 56:00 · CHI 15 · Score 7-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 48:55 · NE 28 · Score 7-3
   (3:55) 1-C.Parkey 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
4. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 46:12 · NE 8 · Score 7-9
   (1:12) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky scrambles left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 45:59 · NE 15 · Score 7-10
   1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
6. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 41:07 · NE 2 · Score 7-16
   (11:07) (Shotgun) 24-J.Howard left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 41:05 · NE 15 · Score 7-17
   1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 41:05 · CHI 35 · Score 13-17
   1-C.Parkey kicks 60 yards from CHI 35 to NE 5. 84-C.Patterson for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 40:48 · CHI 15 · Score 14-17
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 34:04 · CHI 5 · Score 20-17
    (4:04) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 28-J.White for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 33:58 · CHI 15 · Score 21-17
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
12. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 27:10 · NE 6 · Score 21-23
    (12:10) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short left to 29-T.Cohen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 27:04 · NE 15 · Score 21-24
    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
14. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 22:52 · CHI 11 · Score 24-24
    (7:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 21:05 · NE 55 · Score 30-24
    (6:05) 16-P.O'Donnell punt is BLOCKED by 54-D.Hightower, Center-48-P.Scales, RECOVERED by NE-53-K.Van Noy at CHI 29. 53-K.Van Noy for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 20:53 · CHI 15 · Score 31-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
17. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:44 · CHI 2 · Score 37-24
    (8:44) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-J.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 8:40 · CHI 15 · Score 38-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
19. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 4:17 · NE 11 · Score 38-30
    (4:17) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short right to 80-T.Burton for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 4:13 · NE 15 · Score 38-31
    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.