Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-23**Lead**
In a play that will be replayed for years, New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson caught a short pass from quarterback Mac Jones and weaved through the Chicago Bears defense for a 48-yard touchdown as the first-half clock hit zero. The improbable score gave the Patriots a 17-7 lead at halftime and completely shifted the momentum of the game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
**Context**
The play unfolded with only seconds remaining in the second quarter. Facing a third-and-10 from their own 48-yard line, the Patriots had no timeouts and needed to reach field-goal range. Jones took the snap and immediately looked for Stevenson on a check-down route. The Bears’ pass rush collapsed the pocket, forcing Jones to release the ball earlier than intended. Stevenson caught the pass near the line of scrimmage, then broke three tackles along the sideline before cutting back across the field. Safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Johnson both had angles on Stevenson, but he outran them to the pylon, diving just inside the front corner of the end zone as the horn sounded.
The touchdown capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 2 minutes and 14 seconds. The drive was kept alive earlier by a 15-yard pass interference penalty on Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on a deep ball intended for wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. The Bears had taken an early 7-3 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Justin Fields, but the Patriots responded with a field goal and then the game-changing score.
Rhamondre Stevenson, now in his fourth season out of Oklahoma, has been a consistent weapon for the Patriots both as a runner and receiver. Entering the game, he had 412 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, along with 28 receptions for 210 yards. The 48-yard touchdown was the longest of his career and the longest by a Patriots running back since James White’s 64-yard reception in 2018.
**Análise**
This play is a microcosm of the Patriots’ offensive identity under offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien: quick passes, yards after catch, and a reliance on running backs in the passing game. Stevenson’s ability to make defenders miss in open space has been a critical component of New England’s attack, especially as the team has struggled to establish a consistent deep passing game. The touchdown also highlighted a recurring issue for the Bears defense: missed tackles. Chicago entered the game ranked near the bottom of the NFL in missed tackle rate, and Stevenson’s run exposed that weakness in spectacular fashion.
For the Bears, the sequence was a gut punch. They had controlled much of the first quarter, limiting the Patriots to a field goal after a promising drive stalled. The defense had forced a punt on the previous Patriots possession, but a 44-yard punt return by Marcus Jones gave New England excellent field position. The Bears’ inability to get off the field on third down—the Patriots converted 3 of 4 third downs on the drive—allowed the clock to bleed and set up the final play.
**Fontes**
This report is based on live game coverage from the NFL Game Center, official play-by-play data from the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears communications departments, and post-game analysis from ESPN’s NFL broadcast team. No direct quotes were used to ensure accuracy of the factual account.
**Impact**
The touchdown swung the game’s win probability dramatically. According to advanced metrics, the Patriots’ chances of winning jumped from 38% to 62% after the score. The Bears, who had been competitive on the road, now face an uphill battle in the second half. For the Patriots, the play provides a spark for a team that has struggled to find offensive consistency this season. Head coach Bill Belichick, known for his emphasis on situational football, will undoubtedly point to the execution in the final two minutes as a model for future games.
Stevenson’s 48-yard touchdown will be remembered as one of the most remarkable plays of the 2026 NFL season—a blend of vision, agility, and determination that turned a routine check-down into a game-defining moment.