Caleb Williams throws for 308 yards as the Bears hold off Drake Maye and the Patriots 30-24 on a night for Mike Ditka

Every time the New England Patriots crept close on Thursday night, Caleb Williams found an answer.

Williams threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Bears beat Drake Maye and the Patriots 30-24 at Soldier Field. He went 22 of 33 with no interceptions in his second game back from a right hamstring injury.

It was the first time a Bears quarterback has thrown for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games since Mitchell Trubisky had three straight in 2018. Chicago improved to 5-2 and snapped New England's three-game winning streak.

The kick that sealed it

The biggest play came with just under five minutes left. Facing third-and-9 from his own 10-yard line, Williams hit Rome Odunze for 21 yards to keep the drive alive.

Cairo Santos finished it with a 58-yard field goal with 1:34 to go. It was the longest kick of his career and matched the franchise record. Santos had missed a 53-yard try earlier in the fourth quarter.

Maye drove the Patriots back into range for a 47-yard field goal by Andy Borregales with 37 seconds left. Chicago then recovered the onside kick to close it out.

Burden breaks out

Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III caught all four passes thrown his way for 130 yards. His 24-yard touchdown on a screen pass on third-and-17 gave the Bears a 20-7 lead with 14 seconds left in the first half. Tight end Colston Loveland also caught a 12-yard touchdown.

New England answered right away. On the last play of the half, Maye lobbed a pass to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who raced 48 yards for a score while the Bears were expecting a Hail Mary.

Maye finished 24 of 31 for 321 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown on a scramble that was first ruled short before replay overturned the call. Eli Raridon caught a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The Patriots never led.

A tribute to 'Da Coach'

It was Chicago's first home game since Mike Ditka died on Oct. 9. Fittingly the opponent was New England, the team Ditka's 1985 Bears beat in Super Bowl XX.

The team held a moment of silence before kickoff and handed out fake mustaches to the crowd of 60,520. The first 10,000 fans got knit headbands inspired by the famous sweater Ditka wore on the sideline. The stadium clocks read 89:00 all afternoon in honor of his retired No. 89.

Kmet hurt late

The win came with a scare. Tight end Cole Kmet injured his right knee on a collision after an 8-yard catch in the fourth quarter and left on a cart. He gave fans a thumbs-up on the way to the locker room. Cornerback Malik Muhammad also left with a toe injury.

The Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, Nov. 2. The Patriots play at Miami on Nov. 1.