Patterson’s special TD
Kick return washes out early fumble
CHICAGO — Some players, even at the NFL level, need confidence-boosters after a mistake.
Cordarrelle Patterson probably isn’t one of those players.
“It’s football,” Patterson said of his first-quarter fumble during the Patriots’ 38-31 win over the Bears. “(Expletive) happens.”
After the fumble, which led to a touchdown that put the Bears ahead 10-7, Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater delivered the message anyway.
“Don’t forget that you’re the best kickoff returner in the NFL,” Slater told him.
Noted.
Patterson fielded his next kickoff at the 5-yard line, allowed his blocks to set up, and then accelerated rapidly through an opening in the coverage. At the 30-yard line, Patterson stopped on a dime, let Bears cornerback Kevin Tolliver go flying past him, and then immediately returned to top speed. Tolliver accidentally took out the only other Bears defender with a shot at Patterson.
Suddenly, Patterson had 70 yards of open field with only Chicago kicker Cody Parkey in the way. This thing was over before Patterson crossed midfield. He even turned around at the 10-yard line to highfive teammate J.C. Jackson.
“That was big-time,” Jackson said. “That’s how you make up for the fumble. He made a great play, and he cut off me. I made a great block.”
The play, which gave the Patriots a 14-10 lead, wasn’t necessarily viewed as redemption by Patterson.
“I’m a playmaker, man,” Patterson said. “I hold myself accountable as the best kickoff returner in the league, and that’s what I stand for. Every time I’m out there, I’ve got to be aggressive and approach it like it’s my last.”
He added: “Those 10 guys did a hell of a job setting up all the blocks for me. There’s no way I couldn’t score.”
This was a nice bounce-back by the Patriots special teams, which nearly blew the game against Kansas City when they allowed a 97-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.
Between Patterson’s kickoff return and Dont’a Hightower’s blocked punt, which was scooped up by Kyle Van Noy and returned 29 yards for a TD, special teams saved the Patriots in a wild win.
“Still room for improvement, but I think we left our mark on the game,” Slater said.
Young CBs step up
The Pats have recorded multiple takeaways in all but one game.
The highlight play from yesterday’s win was Jonathan Jones’ leaping one-handed interception at the Pats 5-yard line in the beginning of the fourth quarter. He ripped the ball away from Bears receiver Anthony Miller, who was running a deep corner route.
Jones appeared to be beaten on the play, but he caught up quickly to Miller and made an incredible grab.
“Once (Miller) slows down you know the ball is coming and it’s coming slow,” Jones said. “If you get an opportunity to turn around, that’s kind of the play to make.”
Earlier, Jackson dove to intercept Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky on a third-and-10 pass attempt.
“I saw the quarterback scrambling and stayed on my man and just made a play on the ball,” Jackson said.
Jackson had been flagged three times before the play, including an illegal hands to the face penalty on a third-and-goal from the 5-yard line. The penalty gave Chicago a fresh set of downs and ultimately led to a Bears touchdown.
Jackson, an undrafted rookie, replaced Jason McCourty as the No. 2 cornerback. Coach Bill Belichick stuck with Jackson despite the penalties.
“That meant a lot to me,” Jackson said.
Injury report
The Pats were without tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle/ back), offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion), tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring), defensive end Geneo Grissom (ankle) and defensive end John Simon (shoulder) yesterday.
The injury news only got worse from there. Running back Sony Michel suffered a knee injury when his leg awkwardly twisted on the first play of the second quarter. His leg got caught under Chicago defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, who wrapped up Michel and threw him to the ground.
Michel hardly put any weight on his left leg as he came off the field. He was later carted off and ruled out with a knee injury.
Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe, who missed three games earlier this season, exited with a groin injury and did not return.