Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. New England 33 at Chicago 30 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW New England Patriots: QB Tom Brady extended his league-leading touchdown total with 3 more scores through the air. He spread the ball to 11 different receivers, despite being under intense pressure from the revitalized Bear defense. Most of his damage (328 yards) came when Chicago switched to a prevent defense with 6:25 left in 3rd quarter, obviously too early. With New England being down by 21 points in the second half, RB Kevin Faulk saw most of the action. He grabbed 7 balls for 109 yards (8 targets), and two scores. He also rushed for 21 yards on 5 carries. WR Troy Brown is the definition of a possession receiver. He nabbed 11 balls for 90 yards (8.2 avg.), and had and amazing 14 targets. When QB Tom Brady is in trouble, he almost exclusively looks for Brown. K Adam Vinatieri is the most dependable kicker in the NFL today. He nailed a career long 57-yarder, to go along with 3 other field goals. Chicago Bears: QB Chris Chandler was knocked out early in the first half with a neck injury, and Jim Miller replaced him. Miller, still bothered by tendonitis, is having trouble making the deep throws so OC John Shoop's offensive scheme was based on the short throw, with downfield tosses being made by WR Marty Booker and RB Leon Johnson. RB Anthony Thomas had a great game, with 99 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he could not get Chicago the 100th yard, when it counted the most. New England stuffed him on two consecutive plays, giving the Patriots the ball back for the chance to win. MLB Brian Urlacher continues to amaze every week. He had 9 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 tipped balls. He also made a spectacular play on a 2-pt conversion try by New England. He's only been playing linebacker for 3 years, folks. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW New England Patriots QB: Tom Brady turned what was a dud of a fantasy performance into one of the best of the day, thanks to a ferocious second half comeback by the Patriots. He finished with 328 yards and 3 TD's, and 1 interception. His 2nd interception was called back, enabling New England to win the game. He is showing the grit of a winner. RB: When Chicago scored 21 points in 5:30, Antowain Smith got lost in the shuffle. He was not very effective running the ball before then anyways, with the Patriots offense being on the field for 3 plays or less on 6 out of their first 8 possessions. Caught 4 passes for 24 yards. Definitely not another week 9 huge day. Change of pace back Kevin Faulk did have a huge day, with 7 receptions for 109 yards, 21 yards on the ground, and 2 clutch receiving TD's. He is becoming a more viable weapon for the Patriots every week. Marc Edwards was used on third-down plays, a caught 4 balls. WR: Troy Brown hauled in 11 catches for 90 yards, with 14 targets. He was also used on special teams. Most of his grabs were short, over the middle of the field catches. He remains Tom Brady's #1 target. David Patten did not factor into the game until the 4th quarter, but scored the winning touchdown with 21 seconds left. He finished with 51 yards on 4 receptions (5 targets.) Deion Branch was only looked at twice, and just caught one ball. David Givens had a ball overthrown that he could have scored a touchdown with. TE: Tight End By Committee continues in New England, with Christian Fauria, Daniel Graham, and Cam Cleeland doing nothing to separate themselves from each other. Combined, they totaled 4 catches for 10 yards. Not a viable fantasy option right now. Rush Defense: The Patriots' front continued to give up the yardage, with Anthony Thomas leading the way with 99 yards. They made the plays when they had to, stuffing Chicago on 2nd and 1 and 3rd and 1 just before the 2:00 warning. Pass Defense: Ty Law blanketed WR Marty Booker all day, but the secondary made some key mistakes that let Chicago build up a large lead. On a side note, CBS commentator Randy Cross stated that there was not a defensive back that seems to be in the right place at the right time over the last two years than Otis Smith. Mike Brown, anyone? Special Teams: PK Adam Vinatieri booted a career-long 57-yard field goal. He made 4 on the day, and is clearly the most dependable kicker in the NFL under pressure. The coverage team gave up a huge kickoff return to Ahmad Merritt that killed their building momentum. The New England return teams could not muster any big plays. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Chicago Bears QB: Chris Chandler was knocked out early in the game with a strained neck. He did have a Mike Vick like 14-yard scramble for a 1st down. Ok, he scrambled for 14 yards. Jim Miller filled in admirably for Chandler. Due to his tendonitis he is having trouble throwing downfield. He displayed a deft touch though, hitting FB Stanley Pritchett for a go ahead touchdown toss of 11-yards. When he plays, WR Marty Booker does well. No Miller, no Booker. RB: Anthony Thomas bounced back from some horrific performances over the last few weeks with a 99-yard, 1 touchdown effort (4.7 ypc.) He did not get the yards when he needed them the most at the end of the game. His touchdown run brought back memories of last year's ROY season. Leon Johnson continued to steal a few touches from Anthony Thomas. He wasn't very effective though and finished with just 10 yards on 5 carries. He also had a 27 yard pass to WR Marty Booker. FB Stanley Pritchett actually was looked to often in the passing game, seizing 4 balls for 26 yards and the aforementioned score. WR: With Miller not able to throw downfield that far, Booker actually had the longest toss of the day, a 44 yard touchdown strike to WR Marcus Robinson. Booker continues to be a solid start as long as Jim Miller plays. He gets the looks (7) desired by a fantasy receiver. Marcus Robinson scored his first touchdown of the year, and finished with 3 catches for 63 yards. Dez White is losing his grip as Chicago's #2 receiver, and will probably be overtaken by Marcus Robinson. He's not doing anything noticeable to warrant a fantasy play. TE: John Davis returned to the lineup, and caught 2 balls for 17 yards. Once again, the Chicago tight tends are mostly used for blocking. Rush Defense: The Chicago front seven neutralized RB Antowain Smith from the beginning, making yards difficult to come by. Later in the game, they eased up a little to switch to a prevent, and that's where most of the yardage was gained, on draw plays. This defense seems to be turning it around, and a measurement of how good they are will come next Monday night in the name of Marshall Faulk Pass Defense: The secondary gave the Patriots very little to work with until late in the game. Rookie DE Alex Brown, who HC Dick Jauron said that he thought was the steal of the NFL draft, is raw but an awesome pass rusher. He is bringing the pressure that was not there for Chicago at the beginning of the season. MLB Brian Urlacher is a terror, and his name comes up in about every play. Special Teams: KR/WR Ahmad Merritt had a great 44-yard kickoff return late in the game that stopped New England's momentum for the time being. He is due to break one all of the way soon. K Paul Edinger is reliable as ever, and he clanged one kick off of the crossbar for 3 points on his 40 yarder.