The Chicago Bears fell to 0-2 on the preseason with their Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots by a score of 23-22. Despite the final score, Chicago played much better than their Week 1 showing against the Broncos especially when the starters were on the field through the first one-and-a-half quarters.

Offense finds rhythm

After posting a total of 82-yards passing as a team last week, Jay Cutler played like an effective and efficient starter completing eight of 12 passes for 83 yards. Two of his early completions went to Alshon Jeffery for a total of 41 yards. The duo was in sync and gave fans a glimpse of how lethal they can be together in 2016.

What was more promising than Cutler’s performance was the time he had to throw the ball. The starting offensive line fared much better in Week 2 after an abysmal showing against Denver. While they weren’t perfect, they certainly played like a competent group. Right tackle Bobby Massie didn’t have a great night and he’ll need to be monitored closely as the regular season approaches. He’s never been considered a great pass protector, and tonight was an example of his flaws in that department.

Related Chicago Bears RB Jeremy Langford stars versus Patriots in Week 2 of preseason

Jonathan Bullard can be a star

When the Bears selected Florida DL Jonathan Bullard in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, the general response was that he was one of the biggest steals of the weekend. Considered by many to be a first-round talent, his draft-day slide enriched the Bears who were in search of a starting-quality defensive lineman.

Bullard flashed his near-elite get-off against the Patriots. He was consistently one of the first players moving at the snap of the ball and was a handful for opposing linemen on almost every snap.

With only Mitch Unrein standing in his way of becoming a starter, Bullard has a chance to emerge as one of the top Bears’ defenders regardless of position.

Brian Hoyer isn’t safe

After several seasons of questionable quarterback depth, general manager Ryan Pace invested in veteran Brian Hoyer this offseason to serve as the team’s No. 2 option in the event Cutler goes down with an injury. He’s looked like anything but a reliable backup through two weeks of the preseason and has been outplayed by Connor Shaw in each of the first two games.

While it’s unlikely the Bears will turn to an unproven player like Shaw or Fales to serve as the top reserve, Hoyer’s performance against the Patriots simply wasn’t good enough to make the team. He completed only four of 14 passes for 85 yards and an interception, looking more like an inexperienced camp arm than a viable veteran passer.

He won’t have nearly the number of reps next week versus the Chiefs as he had tonight. He’ll need to really stand out through the remainder of the preseason to hold onto his job.