Chicago Bears Beat the Patriots 30–24, but Is Something Bigger Going On in the NFL?

 

Welcome back to The Shawn Mackey Show! In Season 3, Episode 24, I'm breaking down the Chicago Bears' 30–24 victory over the New England Patriots, talking about the defensive mistakes that nearly cost Chicago the game, and asking a question that I know is going to get people talking: Is the NFL, or professional sports in general, rigged?

I'm also getting back to my roots with another installment of Chronicles of a Dumbass, where I talk about the financial pressures facing working Americans and some of the decisions and circumstances that have shaped my own life.

Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots: A 30–24 Victory

The Chicago Bears came away with a 30–24 win over the New England Patriots, but this wasn't exactly a comfortable afternoon. The game felt strange from the beginning. Neither team seemed to establish complete control, and just when I thought the Bears might be ready to pull away, New England found ways to get back into the game.

Caleb Williams had a strong performance, completing 22 of 33 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He also used his legs when the opportunity presented itself, finishing with five carries for 18 yards. I liked seeing him run a little more, and he looked like a quarterback who was continuing to find his rhythm.

Luther Burden III, or LB3, was another bright spot, particularly in the first half. He finished with four receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 32.5 yards per catch. That's the kind of explosive playmaking the Bears need.

DeAndre Swift carried the ball 22 times for 78 yards. It wasn't a performance filled with huge runs, but he kept grinding through a game that never seemed to settle into a consistent rhythm.

The Defensive Breakdown That Changed the Conversation

Here's where things got frustrating.

The Bears were leading 20–7 with only seconds remaining in the first half when New England ran a play that turned into a touchdown. Instead of simply defending against what looked like a potential Hail Mary situation, the Bears gave up a play that allowed the Patriots to cut the lead to 20–14.

Malik Muhammad became the focus of my criticism, along with the secondary and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Watching the play, I couldn't understand what the defense was doing. There appeared to be opportunities to break down, make a tackle, and prevent the play from developing into a touchdown.

Jaylon Johnson also appeared to have an opportunity to help stop the runner. From my perspective, the defensive breakdown was difficult to explain, especially with the Bears in a position to go into halftime with a comfortable lead.

I understand the defense has dealt with injuries, and I know coaches sometimes have to piece together a lineup with backups. I also recognize that a single play can look different when you examine the film more closely. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to question what I saw.

The Patriots also seemed to find opportunities over the middle of the field. When the Bears couldn't consistently generate pressure with their front four, they relied more heavily on disguising and bringing pressure. New England appeared to find ways to exploit the space left behind.

The Bears got the win, but I want to see a more consistent defensive performance.

Cairo Santos Delivers When It Matters

One of the biggest moments came when Cairo Santos went back out to attempt a long field goal after missing a 53-yard attempt. The next kick was from 58 yards, and he nailed it.

A friend of mine, Soup, asked me whether sending Santos back out there was a stupid decision or a gutsy one. My answer? It was stupidly ballsy.

I understood the decision to trust your kicker, especially when he felt confident enough to take the attempt. Santos delivered, and that kick helped seal the 30–24 victory.

Football is a game of confidence, and sometimes a coach has to trust a player to bounce back immediately. In this case, it worked.

Is the NFL Rigged? I'm Asking the Question, Not Claiming I Have the Answer

That strange touchdown before halftime got me thinking about something much bigger than one football game.

I've seen people online demanding explanations and calling for the NFL to investigate the play. Some of the discussion has even connected the controversy to sports betting and gambling interests.

So I'm asking the question: Are professional sports scripted or rigged in some fashion?

Let me be clear. I don't have evidence that the NFL is rigged, and I'm not claiming that the Bears–Patriots game was fixed. What I do have are questions about what I see on the field and why certain plays leave so many people scratching their heads.

With legal sports betting now a major part of the sports landscape, there's a tremendous amount of money connected to the outcomes of games. That makes transparency and public confidence important. But an unusual play, a questionable penalty, or a blown assignment isn't proof of a conspiracy.

I've played football, and I've never experienced a situation where we scripted the outcome of a game. I have a hard time imagining how a professional league could coordinate an entire season without something eventually coming to light.

Still, when fans see strange things happen, they're going to ask questions. Would you keep watching the NFL if you believed the games were fixed? Would you stop watching, or would you continue because you didn't know which team was supposedly going to win?

I want to hear what you think, because I know this is a topic that can get people talking.

Chronicles of a Dumbass: Why Is It So Hard for Working People to Get Ahead?

In the second part of the show, I'm getting back to something personal with Chronicles of a Dumbass.

One of the things that frustrates me most is the feeling that ordinary working people can do what they're told, work hard, try to make responsible decisions, and still struggle to get ahead.

I've worked in education, tried running my own food business, and moved into the healthcare industry. I took a chance on building something for myself with a hot dog cart, and for a while, I believed it could become a foundation for my retirement years.

Then circumstances changed. COVID hit, costs increased, inflation put pressure on businesses, and parking competition in the neighborhood created additional challenges. Decisions I made along the way also played a part in where I am today.

I take responsibility for my mistakes. I'm not pretending every problem in my life is somebody else's fault. But I also believe we need to have an honest conversation about the financial pressure facing people who work for a living.

I talk about the frustration of still carrying student loan debt after paying back far more than the original amount I borrowed. I question how someone can work full-time and still feel financially vulnerable when the cost of living continues to rise.

For me, this isn't just about politics or economics. It's about whether people who put in an honest day's work should be able to afford a reasonable life without constantly worrying about what happens if something goes wrong.

I'm not claiming to have all the answers. I'm telling my story and asking whether other people are experiencing the same thing.

Join the Conversation on The Shawn Mackey Show

This episode covers a lot of ground, from the Bears' victory over New England to questionable defensive decisions, the debate over sports integrity, and the financial challenges facing everyday Americans.

I celebrate the players who stepped up, call out the mistakes that frustrated me, and ask the questions that have been on my mind.

Now I want to hear from you. What did you think of the Bears' performance? Was the defensive breakdown simply a bad play, or do you think the NFL needs to provide more transparency? And do you believe working Americans can still get ahead by following the traditional path of working hard and making responsible decisions?

Watch the full episode on YouTube, leave your thoughts in the comments, and help spread the word.

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Thanks for watching and supporting the show. I'll keep bringing you honest sports opinions, Chicago Bears analysis, and real conversations about the things affecting our lives.