The Patriots won their third game of the season in impressive fashion, beating the Chicago Bears 19-3 today. 

The defense was the story, dominating rookie Caleb Williams and the Bears. It was a welcomed performance for a team that was down and out three weeks ago but has won two of their last three. 

Here are seven points on today’s game. 

1. Defense dominates: The Patriots defense was flat out dominate today. It was one of the best defensive performances of the past five seasons. The Bears never really threatened after the first half. The Patriots sacked Caleb Williams 9 times and they were able to keep one of the best skill groups in check. They held Chicago to 142 yards of total offense. 

2. Pass rush finally gets there: As I mentioned, the Patriots finished with nine sacks. The nine sacks was tied for second most all-time in a game in franchise history. Coming into the game, the Patriots had 25 sacks. The nine sacks will put them in the top five in team sacks in the NFL. The pass rush has been spotty this season but it was there today and then some. 

3. Secondary locks down a great skill group: The Patriots secondary did a terrific job locking down one of the most talented skill groups in the NFL. It helped that the front seven was able to get pressure but even when they did not, the secondary was able to hold up and cover down the field. The defense has started to play better in recent weeks and it showed this week. 

4. Maye makes enough plays: Drake Maye was fine today. He did not do anything special. He had the one bad interception but aside from that, he was managed the offense and made some key throws when he needed them, especially at the end of the first half. 

Maye talked about rebounding after the interception. He referenced his brothers and how his upbringing has helped him overcome adversity. 

“I think just being a competitor and having confidence in myself. I know that’s not my style of football, turning the football over like that. Just growing up and playing different sports and having older brothers and being able to bounce back and getting dunked on a mini-hoop and having to come out here and bounce back from older brothers. Whether it’s that or just facing adversity throughout the season. I think more and more at times not everything is going to go right, not everything is going to go perfect, and I think you saw that from the offense today. Being able to bounce back and do what we needed to do with a defensive performance like that.”

5. Offensive line plays well: The offensive line held its own against a good Chicago front that can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They were not great by any means but they were good enough. Consistency helps. You see the difference it makes when the same unit can play together multiple weeks. 

6. Best coaching game of the season: I thought Jerod Mayo and his staff coached their best game of the season. They were good in situations and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington called the game of his life. The staff is clearly starting to get comfortable coaching together and it is showing up on the field. 

7. Impact win: The win over the Bears was the Patriots second win in three games and could serve as a potential springboard moving forward. The Patriots next three games are against the Rams, Dolphins and Colts and then they have their bye. If they can win two of the next three, they could potentially finish the season with seven wins. It would be impressive, especially when you consider the fact that three weeks ago we were talking about Jerod Mayo’s future with the franchise.