FOXBORO -- Jimmy Garoppolo put together his most impressive stretch of the preseason with a well-run two-minute drill to finish the first half of Thursday's exhibition game with a touchdown pass and two-point conversion that gave the Patriots a 17-11 lead over the Bears.
Garoppolo threaded a 16-yard scoring strike to tight end AJ Derby in between Bears defensive backs Demontre Hurst and Chris Prosinski down the right seam. Derby was sandwiched as soon as he snagged the pass but held on for Garoppolo's first touchdown pass of the preseason.
That play was followed up with a shallow cross completed to Chris Hogan for two points. As they had for the entire seven-play drive leading up to that point, Patriots offensive linemen gave Garoppolo plenty of time to find his target and make a clean throw.
On the drive, Garoppolo went 5-for-7 for 57 yards.
Other Patriots who stood out in the first half of play against Chicago were defensive end Trey Flowers, defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, running back James White, LeGarrette Blount (48 yards rushing on eight carries), and rookie corner Cyrus Jones (interception).