Foles and the Bears take down Brady and the Bucs on TNF

For the first time since Super Bowl LII, QB Nick Foles took on QB Tom Brady. The only difference was that both quarterbacks are now in different uniforms. Foles is now a Chicago Bear and Tom Brady is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Like the last matchup, Foles got the best of Brady in a hard-fought, 20-19 victory. Let us dive into how this game went down.

Game Details

With two good defenses matching up, this game was expected to be low scoring and it met expectations. Tampa Bay got out to a commanding 13-0 lead from a Mike Evans touchdown and two field goals. After the second field goal, Chicago responded with a 75-yard drive resulting in a David Montgomery rushing touchdown. With just under two minutes until halftime, Buccaneers RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn coughed up the ball, giving the Bears good field position. Chicago cashed in when Nick Foles connected with TE Jimmy Graham who made an outstanding one-handed grab for the touchdown. With a score of now 14-13, Brady led Tampa Bay down the field, but had to settle for a field goal. The teams would trade field goals once more after this, making the score 19-17. With 2:21 to go, Foles played hero ball again led Chicago down the field where, again, the Bears settled for three. The score was now 20-19 and would stay that way until the end, giving Chicago the victory to move to 4-1 while Tampa Bay falls to 3-2.

Chicago Defense Dominates

For a couple of seasons now, the Chicago Bears have been led by their defense. This year, it has been much of the same and they showed up on primetime for a big win. While only allowing 19 points, Chicago gave up just 339 total yards and forced Tampa Bay to a 4-14 third-down conversion rate. LB Khalil Mack had a huge game, sacking Brady twice while also recording a pass breakup. LB Danny Trevathan led the way with seven tackles. While only totaling three sacks, Chicago was getting pressure on the quarterback all night long, forcing Brady to make inaccurate throws and lose his rhythm. If Chicago’s defense can play like this, they will be in contention for a playoff spot, no matter how mediocre the offense plays.

The Kicking Game

In a game where the defense controls the flow of the game, kicking and special teams becomes that much more important and was a big reason in deciding the outcome tonight. After the second quarter, no touchdowns were scored, while four field goals were kicked through the uprights. The last one came from Bears K Cairo Santos, who drilled a 38-yard field goal to put the Bears ahead for good. Both kickers combined to go 6/6 for field goals and 3/3 on extra points. Santos kicked in two, while Buccaneers K Ryan Succop knocked in four. In a game where points are hard to come by, special teams can stick out like a sore thumb, and a clutch field goal was the reason why the Bears were able to come out on top, even though Tampa Bay kicked two more field goals than Chicago. Look for both kickers to continue their success in their next games.

Fourth Down?

For his entire career, QB Tom Brady has been known for his arm talent, ability to win, and most importantly, his football IQ. Tonight, Brady made an enormous error and one that cost them the game. After a fourth-down pass to Cameron Brate went incomplete, the Bears celebrated, while Brady thought he still had another down. If he knew it was fourth down, would have he made an easier throw? Went through more of his reads? Or still, sling the ball down the field and up the seam? 

“Yeah, he knew, he knew” head coach Bruce Arians stated after the game.

If he knew then, why the confusion? It was a very confusing scene, but one that ultimately cost them the game. Brady finished the game 25/41 for 253 and a touchdown, adding up to a passer rating of 86.7.

Looking Ahead

Moving on to Week 6, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) have an enormous conference-matchup, hosting the Green Bay Packers (4-0) who will be coming off a bye. As for the Bears (4-1), Chicago will be traveling to Carolina to take on Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers (2-2), with the hopes of staying in the pace of the Packers in a fight for the NFC North division leader.

Info from profootballreference.com

Bruce Arian’s interview from nfl.com

Writer

-By: Richie Dordas