Film after Week 7: What did Drake Maye’s breakdown and the Patriots defensive review reveal in the loss to the Bears?

Drake Maye’s film review told a mostly positive story against Chicago’s pressure and scheme looks, even in a 30-24 Thursday-night loss. In the Patriots’ breakdown of the Week 7 game, Maye was described as productive both by charting (14 “plus” plays) and by efficiency (+0.34 EPA per drop-back). The review also credited his out-of-structure ability for extending drives and staying dangerous when the pocket broke down.

The same evaluation flagged a specific offensive problem area in the red zone and in the late-game finish. The breakdown cited a red-zone interception as a turnover-worthy play, and noted that New England could not find the go-ahead score on two possessions during a fourth-quarter stretch when the Patriots trailed 27-21.

The Patriots’ review also framed Maye’s technique tradeoffs as part of what makes his game work, particularly in how he handles pre-snap pressure threats. It pointed to moments where Maye adjusted to protection pressure, then played outside the “clean pocket” expectation, including a scramble sequence created after a man-coverage wrinkle opened space for him.

Beyond Maye, the film notes described a mixed picture for other “blue-chip” contributors. The review said A.J. Brown had three catches for 48 yards and that Christian Gonzalez allowed two 21-yard completions in the fourth quarter, while stud DT Milton Williams generated limited impact (one pressure and a run TFL).

On defense, the Patriots’ own postgame film review emphasized consistency issues rather than a lack of talent or scheming. The review tied the defensive “why” to fundamentals and ball disruption, using metrics to place New England around league-average defensive efficiency through seven games (14th in opponent-adjusted DVOA), while also highlighting play success rate and EPA per play.

Two practical problems stood out in the defensive assessment. The review said New England missed a season-high 14 tackles, pointed to a 13.2% missed-tackle rate (10th-highest), and noted the Patriots did not force a turnover versus the Bears. It added that the turnover differential entering the weekend was negative (-7), tying the issue to ball security and ball disruption.

The breakdown credited Chicago for coverage wrinkles that stressed New England’s preferred looks, including ways the Bears worked into Tampa-2 and flooded preferred zone concepts. But it also argued New England “beats itself” at times, saying there were moments when technique and execution allowed big gains that were not purely structural mismatches.

In quick-hit notes, the Patriots’ film review said the patchwork offensive line handled pass protection relatively well under heavy pressure packages, while the run game struggled to sync up and force the edges, producing 14 rushing yards before contact. It also highlighted certain matchups and production points, including Hunter Henry’s seven catches and Rhamondre Stevenson’s receiving and physical role on schemes that pulled defenders out of position.