No blame game for Bears coach
Rookie safety Major Wright rightfully took the blame for the 59-yard Tom Brady-to-Deion Branch touchdown pass with five seconds left in the first half that put the Bears in a 33-0 hole.
But Wright, who alternated with strong safety Danieal Manning and free safety Chris Harris, wasn't alone in the blame game.
“It wasn't just Major,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We could've gotten a better pass rush. And there were a few other things we could have done in there. But, yes, he has to be back there. It was his responsibility on that one.”
So close:
The defense has not forced a turnover in back-to-back games for the first time this season. In the past four games the Bears have not forced a fumble and have just 2 interceptions after getting 14 picks in the first nine games.
“We had an opportunity to take the ball away,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We had our hands on quite a few balls and couldn't make plays with it.”
On the play immediately preceding the Patriots' first touchdown, linebacker Brian Urlacher tipped a pass that safety Chris Harris lunged for in the end zone but was unable to secure as it grazed off his hands.
In the second half, Urlacher leapt for a Tom Brady fastball, but it slipped through his outstretched hands.
By the numbers:
Sunday's 36-7 loss was the most lopsided at home since a 41-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2004.
The 26 points allowed in the second quarter were the second most ever allowed in that quarter by a Bears team. In the 1985 Super Bowl season, the Bears allowed 31 points to the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter of a 38-24 loss.