Reviewing the best and worst, and everything in between, from the Patriots’ 38-31 victory over the ears on Sunday.
FANTASTIC FINISH
Mitchell Trubisky clearly saved his best for last. So did the Patriots defense.
The Bears quarterback was erratic most of the afternoon, missing open receivers and completing just a shade over 50 percent of his passes – 26 of 50 for 333 yards and a pair of interceptions – hardly looking like a guy that could lead a comeback from a 38-24 deficit with 6:24 left.
But he nearly did.
After capitalizing on a Tom Brady interception, the Bears clawed within 38-31 when they got the ball back with 24 seconds left.
Trubisky moved the ball to the Chicago 45 with three quick passes.
He then uncorked his best chuck of the day, firing a Hail Mary that Kevin White came up with at the 1-yard line, edging out New England supersub safety Josh Gordon. He could go no farther, however, getting caught in a Patriots’ Bear trap of Duron Harmon, Jonathan Jones, and Devin McCourty.
“That last throw was an incredible throw . . . rolling left, guy in his face,’’ Brady said. “[Those kind of plays], you hold your breath . . . It was close.’’
BEST START
Getting off to a good start on the road was a point of emphasis all week as the Patriots hadn’t won away from Gillette Stadium this season. Tom Brady and Co. made it clear they got the message.
Brady led his troops on a surgical eight-play, 75-yard march, capped by Julian Edelman’s 9-yard catch that helped set a tone and an attitude after the team fell behind early in both its road losses this season.
Edelman, who said last week he had no problem being the villain on the road and played with a chip on his shoulder all day, broke through a pair of Bears to punch it in.
“That was a big drive for us,’’ coach Bill Belichick said.
“We’ve had a couple of games on the road where we haven’t played well, collectively, all the way around but today was a good, hard-fought game that we played for 60 minutes.’’
HAPPY RETURNS
Cordarrelle Patterson got some rare chances to actually return some kickoffs against the Bears and he got to experience the very highs and very lows of that special position.
Patterson fumbled his first return, with Nick Kwiatkoski jarring it loose after a 22-yard gain. It took the Bears just five plays to capitalize when Mitchell Trubisky scrambled in from 8 yards.
Patterson’s next return didn’t go as planned, either. Despite being 6 yards deep in the end zone, Patterson elected to take it out and was chopped down at the 18. Three plays later, Sony Michel fumbled (and to add injury to insult, he hurt his knee and left the game) and the Bears again capitalized, going ahead, 17-7 on Jordan Howard’s touchdown.
Patterson had had enough.
He took Cody Parkey’s ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, showing his patented acceleration and moves as he ran through the Chicago coverage team — and even shared a high-five with J.C. Jackson at the 5-yard line before sashaying into the end zone.
“Don’t forget you’re the best kick returner in the league,’’ was Matthew Slater’s message to Patterson after the latter’s fumble. “I don’t think he forgot.’’
SCOOP AND SCORE
The Patriots got a second kicking game score when Dont’a Hightower blocked a Pat O’Donnell punt in the third quarter and it was scooped up by fellow linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who brought it to the house to break a 24-24 tie in the third quarter.
Hightower got things rolling when he steamrolled Ben Braunecker (sorry, Harvard) before savaging O’Donnell. The Patriots hovered around the loose ball before Van Noy snatched it up.
“Tay had a great play,’’ said Van Noy. “Going back and watching that on film is going to be sick. He did all the work and I guess I get all the glory.’’
Van Noy also delivered a subtle message to those who have been critical of Hightower.
“I appreciate him and what an amazing player he is, and everyone can be quiet now,’’ he said.
UP AND DOWN
Cornerback J.C. Jackson rode the rookie roller coaster, experiencing some highs and lows in his first extended action of the season.
Rotating at the perimeter corner spot with Jason McCourty, Jackson was called for three penalties — two illegal hands to the face infractions (only one was accepted) and a pass interference call. Still, the coaching staff stuck with him and he intercepted a Mitchell Trubisky pass.
“That [faith] meant a lot to me,’’ said Jackson, who explained the difficulties in guarding the 5-foot-8-inch Taylor Gabriel.
“I try hitting him in the breastplate but 18 is so small I stuck out my hand and hit him in the face by accident,’’ he said. “[The coaches] just said, ‘keep playing, keep playing, be aggressive.’ ’’
HIGH FLYING ACT
Jonathan Jones turned in one of the defensive gems of the season when he intercepted a Mitchell Trubisky pass in the fourth quarter.
Trubisky slightly underthrew Anthony Miller, who had a step on Jones. The cornerback made up the time and space with a leaping, one-handed snag at the New England 4-yard line.
The Patriots really made it hurt when they drove 96 yards in nine plays to take a 38-24 lead.
“[Trubisky] knows he has to make that throw, and he didn’t,’’ said Bears coach Matt Nagy. “But I’ll say this: Credit to No. 31. That was one of the better interceptions I’ve seen in a long time.’’
SHUT DOWN CORNER
Stephon Gilmore continues to prove he’s one of the league’s elite cornerbacks. He allowed zero catches, while spending his day mostly covering Allen Robinson, who had just 1 catch on 5 targets for 4 yards.
“I’ll cover anybody,’’ said Gilmore, who nearly had an end zone interception as well. “Whoever they say to cover, that’s who I go to.’’
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We practice and preach [special teams], so it’s pretty cool, when you can come out here and execute it in a big game like this on the road,’’ Dont’a Hightower said of the special teams touchdowns. “We definitely needed it and it was perfect timing.’’
INJURY REPORT
The win came at a high price as rookie running back Sony Michel left with a knee injury on the first play of the second quarter.
Michel’s right knee appeared to twist awkwardly as he was tackled by Bilal Nichols, who forced and recovered a fumble on the play. Michel needed assistance off the field and was examined in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room. There was no immediate word on his condition.
“Hope for a speedy recovery for him,’’ said James White. “Whatever it happens to be, I’m not sure, [but] he’ll attack it.’’
Michel started hot, rushing for 22 yards on four carries before the injury.
The injury continues terrible trends for both the Patriots’ draft class and their running back corps. Six of New England’s eight picks have landed on injured reserve, with only Michel and Keion Crossen avoiding that fate.
In addition, running backs Jeremy Hill (knee) and Rex Burkhead (neck) are on injured reserve, though Burkhead has a chance to return.
Cornerback Eric Rowe, who missed three games with a groin injury, aggravated the condition and left the game early.
NEXT WEEK
at Buffalo Bills
Are you ready for Monday night with the Mafia?
The Bills Mafia, that is.
The Patriots will aim for their second straight road win with a prime-time game in Western New York against the reeling Bills, who fell to 2-5 Sunday.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.