Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell tracked down a fly ball the left-field corner

Welcome back to Dead Letters, the feature which we reprint our favorite fan mail from throughout the week. It’s like Deleted Scenes, but without all the scuzz money. We should take this moment to remind you that all emails to Deadspin and its editors are on the record unless otherwise specified. for your… The video you above made its way around the internet recent days, and had even been sent to us by a handful of tipsters. All we knew was what we saw: A ballgirl at Ross Cockrell Authentic Womens Jersey Wrigley Field filling out a note and handing it to a ballpark attendant. Naturally, expert speculated that… NFL analyst Merril Hoge is a connoisseur of the cravat, and has drawn a reputation for his ridiculously thick knots that would fit better on the set of than that of. A segment today forced Hoge to remove his jacket-and thus revealing that such Ryan Harris Authentic Womens Jersey a wide Windsor comes with a few drawbacks.… Baseball and the playoffs start at 1 p.m. The Bulls and Sixers start the action at 1 on and the Knicks and Heat follow up at 3 p.m. By then, the Kings and Blues be underway a potentially decisive game 4. Both leagues continue into the evening with the Hawks and Celtics at 7 and the Flyers and… Welcome back to Dead Letters, the feature which we reprint our favorite fan mail from throughout the week. It’s like Deleted Scenes, but without all the scuzz money. We should take this moment to remind you that all emails to Deadspin and its editors are on the record unless otherwise specified. for your….

CHICAGO — Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell tracked down a fly ball the left-field corner while teammate Bollig spent Friday’s batting practice at Wrigley Field chatting with Cubs starting pitcher Samardzija. I’ve been looking forward to this, Bickell said. To take batting practice and to be able to be out here with the players is a great opportunity. It’s good to be champions. And as a part of a Blackhawks weekend at Wrigley Field, Bickell, Bollig and Patrick Sharp were invited to take batting practice before the Cubs’ series opener against the Pirates and also sing during the seventh-inning stretch honor of the Hawks’ second Cup win just four years. Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he enjoyed having a group of Blackhawks players join the team for batting practice and laughed at the hint they might rub some success off on his team. I think what the Blackhawks went through, we all got caught up it, Sveum said. I think a lot of times, no doubt, you sit back and you’re like a 10-year-old kid. The what ifs and when we do it and all this.

Then the guys come out and you get to meet them and talk about the Cup. After watching the city celebrate the Blackhawks’ championship, Sveum said he couldn’t help but talk with the players about what it would be like if the Cubs were to win a World Series. You do reflect on it, because when you win a championship, you wish everybody could have gone through it, Sveum said. There’s only one feeling this world when you’re playing professional sports, and it’s that last pitch or when that buzzer goes off and you’re the world champion. Bickell could only participate limited action on Friday afternoon due to thumb surgery he underwent after the season to repair a torn tendon. He was also wearing a knee brace, but said baseball was a big part of his summers growing up and he couldn’t watching how the Cubs prepare before.

Tom Brady best all-time NFL quarterback, Jim Kelly proclaims

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly shared his opinion Monday that Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is the best quarterback of all time.

“I don’t mind saying that,” Kelly told ESPN’s Chris Berman on Monday Night Countdown.

“The consistency, every single year he does it. And he doesn’t have, all time, the greatest players around him. A lot of times they are in and out — [Wes] Welker is gone, a couple other guys are gone. He does have a great one in [Rob] Gronkowski, but the thing is he makes it work and it doesn’t matter what it is.”

As of Friday, three of the league’s top six point producers were 20 years of age or younger (McDavid, Matthews and William Nylander), but Kyle Palmieri Authentic Womens Jersey it’s hard to ignore the way McDavid has come out of the gate for the red-hot Oilers. After being named captain before the season, McDavid hasn’t missed a beat and has 11 points in seven games while averaging 21:09 in ice time. What impresses me is that McDavid has eight even-strength points as the 6-1-0 Oilers have beaten some of the league’s elite teams while moving to first place in the Pacific Division and top Martin Brodeur Authentic Womens Jersey spot in the Western Conference. It’s been a long time since that’s happened for the Oilers.

It’s been an up-and-down start for the Jets, who have yet to win back-to-back games this season. But if they’re going to get back in the playoffs, it’s clear Laine, the No. 2 pick in June, is going to lead them. The big 18-year-old Finn with the big shot has six goals, tied for the league lead and most among rookies, along with two assists for eight points in seven games. His 19:12 in average ice time is the most among rookie forwards.

The 19-year-old London, Ontario, native has been a revelation to the youthful Flyers, with seven points in eight games, fourth among all rookies. The slight (he’s listed as 5-foot-10, 175 pounds) center has points in six of eight games, and head coach Dave Hakstol continues to show confidence in the 24th-overall pick from 2015, moving him up the lineup and expanding his ice time.

“If you don’t like it, then tell the coach or the coordinator to change the whole game plan,” Gilbert said. “Try to do something to protect you, because back a couple of years ago, when Ben was getting hit a lot, we had to change our offense a little bit, put in a little extra protection to help him stay upright because he is the franchise player.”

Pat McAfee tried to surprise a fan, and turned it into an improvised ballad for an empty house

Trying to surprise fans doesn’t always work out. pic.twitter.com/fkxmAi9GP0

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 20, 2016
Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee went on a trip to help surprise some diehard fans at their home. A realization set in while he was knocking on the front door of the season ticket holders: They weren’t there. Now, this situation have a few possible outcomes.

Practicing in the heat. Is football better in Martin St. Louis Jersey hot or cold weather?

Eugene Monroe’s retirement: He said it’s about his long-term health. How many more players are going to retire early over those same concerns? Or is Monroe’s situation different?

Roger Goodell FINALLY made the league’s top concussion-denying quack retire. As with most NFL moves to shore up the league office’s credibility, it’s too little, too late.
The Dolphins signed Arian Foster this week. What Mats Zuccarello Jersey does he have left? How does this change their offense?

The Jets! They surprised us all with a last-minute move to lock up Mo Wilkerson, but what about this Fitzpatrick thing?

Did the Chiefs make a big mistake in not signing Eric Berry to long-term deal? (Hint: yes, and there’s going to be fallout).

You can listen above, or you can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, if that’s your sort of thing.

Norman was relevant enough to get a $75 million deal from Washington this offseason, setting him up for twice yearly rematches with Beckham.

Are the Broncos opening the door for Paxton Lynch?

Gary Kubiak says Paxton Lynch is “really stepping up.” Hmmm, is this an opening to get Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian out of the way?

It wasn’t all that long ago that Jay Novacek Jersey Kubiak was adamant about Siemian’s chances of starting and Lynch was locked in as an understudy to the top two quarterbacks. But it’s hard to keep a first-round pick on the bench for long, especially when your other options are Sanchez and Siemian.

MASON IS MISSING: Rams RB Tre Mason is missing. The Jaylon Smith Jersey Tre Mason saga has come to a somber point.

RIVALRY GONE BAD: Ben Roethlisberger thinks the Bengals-Steelers rivalry has gone too far. Concussions. Penalties. Trash talk. The Steelers quarterback is right. The rivalry between the Bengals and the Steelers has descended into a dark place, relegating the actual games to a lower status.

DON’T TRASH TEDDY: Mike Zimmer has the perfect response to Teddy Bridgewater’s critics. For some reason, it’s really hard for a lot of the media to believe in Bridgewater. The Vikings head coach has an answer for those fools.

Due to the fact Bowman had so much time remaining on his contract and is two years removed from an ACL tear, this news is a major surprise. But it’s clear new head coach Chip Kelly intends to build the team around him. Bowman has emerged as one of the best inside linebackers in the league over the last few years, averaging 147.5 tackles per season since 2011.

“Over the last six years, NaVorro has become a cornerstone of our organization and securing his future in the Bay Area was a priority for us,” Baalke said. “The perseverance he displayed while overcoming adversity and returning to his All-Pro form provides a great example of what can be accomplished through hard work and self-belief. This contract extension reaffirms our core philosophy of rewarding our own players and we are thrilled to know NaVorro will play his entire career with the 49ers.”

Bowman, 28, has been one of the few bright spots on a floundering 49ers squad. Despite the team’s recent struggles, he thanked his teammates and coaches after signing the deal. “My teammates and coaches have meant so much to me throughout my career and I thank them for helping me become the player I am today,” he said.

Some of Bowman’s teammates on a once-proud defense, including Aldon Smith, Ray McDonald and Ahmad Brooks, have been in the headlines for their transgressions off the field more than their on-field play as of late. San Francisco released Smith in 2015 after he was arrested for his third DUI and cut bait with McDonald amidst sexual assault allegations in 2014. The club has held onto Brooks despite his sexual assault charge from last summer.

There have been several high-profile retirements around Bowman, too. Veteran linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive lineman Justin Smith called it quits as well as star rookie linebacker Chris Borland, who cited concerns about brain damage as his reasoning for walking away.

NFLPA launches official probe into handling of Cam Newton in NFL opener

The NFL Players Association officially announced an investigation into the handling of multiple hits to the head of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the NFL’s opening game of the year.

While the NFLPA didn’t Ameer Abdullah Jersey release further details into the reasoning for its investigation, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported earlier on Sunday that the union was concerned by the lack of safeguards to ensure it was safe for Newton continue playing.

NFL.com’s Judy Battista also Barry Sanders Jersey said that while the cameras didn’t show Newton undergoing evaluation after the hit from Stewart, medical officials did go to him during a stoppage of play of just over two minutes.

While Newton did not suffer a concussion in the game, his father Cecil Newton told ESPN he was “grossly disturbed” by the hits and Newton’s agent Bus Cook told La Canfora that he was bothered by them as well.

If the NFL and NFLPA disagree over wrongdoing and punishment at the conclusion of the investigations, an independent arbitrator would be asked to determine punishment.

Gronkowski was limited in practice throughout the week and had been officially listed on the team’s injury report as questionable for Sunday’s game. He told reporters that his status for Sunday would be a coaches’ decision, and they have determined he’s not physically able to play.

In an unusual turn of events, especially for a Patriots player, Gronkowski even went so far as to admit that he was not 100 percent from the “hammy thing” he suffered in a joint practice against the Chicago Bears during training camp. The hamstring injury kept him sidelined for three weeks.

Gronk is the best tight end in the NFL, and after exceeding 1,000 receiving yards in each of his past two seasons, it’s clear that it’s impossible to duplicate what he brings to the Patriots offense. New England is in better shape at tight end, though, after signing Martellus Bennett this offseason. If Gronkowski isn’t at full strength, Bennett can help pick up the slack.

Last season in 11 games with the Bears, Bennett had 53 catches for 439 yards and three touchdowns. In 2014, Bennett’s best season, he had 916 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The script is intelligent rather than flashy, exploring the divide between town and country

The script is intelligent rather than flashy, exploring the divide between town and country, and taking a more sophisticated approach to race than your average American movie. This was Franklin’s directorial debut, and great things were predicted. Whatever his future, he’ll always have the best of the modern noirs to his credit. 5. Naked With High Hopes and Life Is Sweet, seemed to have found a successful Taylor Gabriel Jersey groove: gently desperate social comedy. Which made Naked even more shocking. It’s a film that’s easy to hate: women found it misogynist.

But it’s not the film that hates women, it’s – but since dominates pretty much every frame, its easy to the problem. There’s not Tramon Williams Jersey much here the way of plot: accused of rape, escapes from Manchester and goes to London. He wanders the capital like the ancient mariner, buttonholing anyone he can find and ranting sprawling, compelling millennial nonsense at them. Thewlis is extraordinary: he makes, who should be just plain repulsive, fascinating. And, unusually for a film, this one looks good – he abandons suburbia for the strange nightworld of empty office blocks and the edgy streets of recession-hit London. has shown no interest ever making anything like it again. Shame. 6. Buffalo 66 There’s only one thing worse than a self-proclaimed genius, and that’s a self-proclaimed genius who turns out to be right. is a professional loudmouth who has been hanging around New since the late Seventies: he was a band with Jean- Basquiat, had a career as a painter and then decided he was actor. He shocked the apathetically liberal East Village and SoHo scenes by declaring he was a reactionary; a confessed former hustler, he enjoys making homophobic rants. Then, after all the troublemaking, he turned around and made extraordinary film, one that epitomised the inspired verve of the decade’s American independent scene at its best. Buffalo 66 opens with Brown being released from prison, and then asking to go back because he needs to ‘take a piss. The first five minutes – funny and bleak – are devoted to Brown’s search for a toilet. Then he kidnaps a dancer, takes her home to his monstrous parents and tells them she’s his wife. From there on, right up to the end, the film remains genuinely unpredictable. Buffalo 66 is a terrifyingly bitter piece of autobiography: it leaves you feeling very sorry for ‘s parents. But it is also incredibly tender film – shows the vulnerability and absurdity at the heart of his own bluster. It’s hilarious places. And not least, it’s a beautiful film: shot using a rare process had enormous trouble getting developed, it finds loveliness the dingy town of Buffalo. Two scenes – one with and Ricci on a motel bed, the other with Ricci tap-dancing to Crimson a bowling alley – are as elegant as anything Vincent Minnelli ever did. the end, Buffalo 66 stays with you longer than all the other outstanding films that sprang from ‘s burgeoning independent scene, Dazed and Confused included. And people – including those personally insulted by him – give at least this much credit: the bastard sure knows how to make a film. 7. Festen Defenders of our ailing national cinema always point out that we can’t be expected to compete with the Americans. Which is reasonable enough, but the real comparison should be with the Danish and Norwegians. Refn’s Pusher put all US post-Tarantino efforts the shade, while Lars Trier’s made the -it-or-run-screaming Breaking The Waves. Trier was also brave enough, pretentious enough or ironic enough to launch a cinematic movement these cynical times. And if most people are still unsure whether the reasoning behind the Dogme 95 Vows Of – no score, no flashbacks, no props, no lighting, hand-held video cameras only – is tongue–cheek or not, the films make it irrelevant question. Trier’s own The Idiots is a bit of a hippy mess, but Festen is another matter. Festen takes place at the sixtieth birthday party of the pompous Helge, shortly after his daughter has committed suicide. His eldest announces that their father had consistently raped him and his sister when they were children. And this is where the Dogme restrictions become advantage: without music, there’s nothing to tell you how to feel or when to expect a dramatic moment. And that’s what helps Festen avoid being abuse melodrama and become a superbly ambiguous black comedy. Vinterberg is brilliant at controlled chaos, and keeps the film both wild and on the rails. If every film was made according to the Dogme rules, it would quickly become wearing, but right now it’s the most exciting thing happening the movies. 8. Delicatessen These days French films come four basic flavours. There are the ones where people talk too much, the ones where old men stare at Emmanuelle Beart, the swashbucklers and the loud ones directed by Luc Besson or one of his mates. Too simplistic? Yes, but sadly not by much. The glorious exception is Delicatessen. Delicatessen is distantly related to the work of Gilliam and the Coen brothers, but mainly out there on its own. Set a world that is somehow both post-World War II and post-apocalyptic, the bare essence of the plot has a woman trying to save ex-clown from her cannibalistic butcher father. That’s before you get to the woman who keeps failing to kill herself, the underground vegetarian resistance fighters or any of the other bizarre and beautifully rendered characters. Unfortunately the finest scene – based around the rhythm of bed springs – has recently been ripped off for ad, and may never seem as good again. Jeunet and Caro made the inspired City Of Lost Children before Jeunet was lured to Hollywood to make the dismal Alien Resurrection. 9.

Frieri then entered and fanned -hitter Castro to escape the mild threat

Menu Chicago Blackhawks star Kane for the first time addressed the sexual assault investigation against him Thursday and declared he had done nothing wrong and expected to be absolved. Appearing calm Carl Hagelin Jersey and poised, the 26-year-old Kane acknowledged that it has been incredibly difficult time for people since the allegation surfaced early August. I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused family, teammates, this incredible organization and, of course, our fans, said Kane, flanked by team officials including team President and CEO John McDonough. While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on ongoing matter, I am confident once all the facts are brought to light I be absolved of having done nothing wrong. Kane is Chris Kreider Jersey accused of sexually assaulting a woman her 20s August at his offseason home outside Buffalo, New, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because police have not revealed details of the case. Kane has not been charged, but the case has shadowed the Blackhawks for weeks as they prepare for a season that begins at home on Oct. 7. The team held the news conference the day before training camp begins on the Notre Dame campus. We recognize that Kane is dealing with a very serious situation, said McDonough, who was joined by coach Quenneville and general manager Bowman alongside Kane. Based on our discussions with his legal representatives who are very close to this matter, we have decided to have join us for training camp. He then said the team would have no further comment on the case. Kane steered questions away from it, too. I’m excited to be here at camp just like all the players, he said. It’s good to see your teammates especially after a long summer.

Menu Josh Hamilton collected three RBI and finished a double shy of the cycle as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim slipped past the Astros, 4, on Sunday the finale of a three-game set at Stadium. Mike Trout stroked a solo and scored three times for the Angels, while starter C.J. held to one run on five hits and four walks over six solid innings. I had confidence today with all pitches, remarked. I had extra the tank. I had the strength to throw a lot of pitches. I was able to keep them off balance. Frieri recorded the final out of the eighth and worked around a two- out single the ninth to nail down his second save of the season for the Angels, who have won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Humber was a hard-luck loser, as the right-hander gave up two runs and scattered seven hits and walked just one over seven strong frames. Humber was outstanding, Astros manager Bo said of his starter. He was efficient with his pitches. Dominguez’s run-scoring double the second accounted for the lone run for the Astros, who had won three straight before dropping the final two games of the series. We got men on base, we were just not able to execute, added. The Angels struck first the opening frame, as Trout scorched a one-out double, moved to third on Pujols ground out, and then crossed the plate on Hamilton’s single to give the Halos a 1 edge. pulled even the second when Dominguez followed Cedeno’s leadoff double with a two-bagger of his own, but the Angels jumped back front the third after Trout launched a solo shot over the wall right- center field. The Astros nearly pulled even the sixth, when Carlos Pena worked a one-out walk and Carlos Corporan followed with a single to center before moving to second on the throw to put runners at second and third. Cedeno then laid down a suicide-squeeze, but recovered the bunt and flipped to catcher Conger, who applied the tag on Pena running from third to keep the Astros from tying the game. escaped the inning unscathed by getting Dominguez to fly out. Burnett took over for the Halos the seventh and retired the Astros order before Downs ran into trouble the eighth, when he issued a one- out walk to and then served up a two-out single to Corporan to put the tying run on second.

Frieri then entered and fanned -hitter Castro to escape the mild threat. Hamilton provided Frieri with some breathing room the bottom half, as the Los Angeles slugger launched a two-run blast over the wall left-center field for his second as games to give the Angels a 4 advantage. Frieri fanned the side the ninth despite issuing a two-out single to Jose Altuve. Game Notes went 1-for-8 with runners scoring position and left 10 men on base… The Angels open a three-game set Minnesota on Monday… heads to Oakland for a three-game set beginning on Monday.

Menu Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 18 points, Patterson had 17 and the Toronto Raptors beat Boston 116 on Friday, handing the Celtics their first defeat three preseason. Avery led Boston with 22 points while Thornton had 19 and Bass 14. Amir and Greivis Vasquez both scored 13 as the Raptors took control with a 12 run midway through the fourth, outscoring Boston 29 the final quarter. Toronto guard returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Tuesday’s loss at Sacramento with a sore right knee, while Patterson played for the first time three preseason. Center Greg Stiemsma, who suffered a concussion Tuesday, was unable to play after failing to pass a league-mandated test. Stiemsma will be tested again Saturday. Before the game, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said injured guard Rajon Rondo has begun to participate non-contact practice drills. Stevens also said he would have update Saturday on center Vitor Faverani, who has missed all of training camp with a sore left knee. Boston was without forward Green and guard James. The teams meet again Wednesday Portland, Maine.

Gradually, Britain became involved on the Egyptian side.

Just about everyone involved this 1966 epic about Britain’s imperial adventure Sudan deserves to have sand kicked their faces Not a tent-pole release … Charlton Heston as, Olivier as the Mahdi and Richard as Khartoum. Photograph: Archive Director: Dearden Entertainment grade: D+ History grade: C– Muhammad was a Sudanese theocrat and general who 1881 proclaimed himself Mahdi, a redeemer expected by some Muslims to appear before the day of judgment. He conquered large swathes of the Nile valley and annihilated three Egyptian armies.

Gradually, Britain became D.J.Fluker Jersey involved on the Egyptian side. Khartoum covers the section of the war that pitted Muhammad against General Chinese. ‘The Exxxxpected One’ … Olivier as the Mahdi. Photograph: Kobal the 1960s, casting agents must have actually said things like:, we need a Sudanese Nubian … how about Olivier? Olivier, blackface, looks nothing like Muhammad. Things don’t improve when he speaks.

His stab at a Sudanese accent sounds like Sebastian, the singing Caribbean crab from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, pretending to be a Russian spy. Oh, beylovvids! he says to his beloved followers. I am the Mahrhrhdi! The Exxxxpected One! It’s particularly unfortunate when the film, inaccurately, has him meet General. Heston plays it straight, leaving Olivier looking even more like he has escaped from a racist panto. I’m not a loving, Muhammad, but this land became the only thing that I have ever loved, says. I am a poor of the desert, but I am the Mahrhrhdi, replies Muhammad. The Exxxxpected One. Incredibly, this screenplay was nominated for. Going native … Heston as. Photograph: Kobal The middle section of Khartoum gets tangled up the complicated politics behind British intervention. The story of how Britain stumbled into imperial adventure the Sudan is potentially of even greater interest 2009 than it would have been 1966. The thing it isn’t, though, is cinematic.

It really does just come down to a Dan Fouts Jersey lot of men with tufty facial hair sitting around armchairs and vacillating. To liven things up, the film chucks a few desert battles, though unfortunately these have been filmed and edited too ineptly to make sense. Meanwhile, a large crowd gathers London, waving placards and chanting, Save ! This looks suspiciously like a 1960s demonstration, but it is true that public meetings were held ‘s support. Muhammad again summons to his tent and tries to persuade him to leave: You are not my enemy. Oh, but I am! cries. We are alike, you and I. Muhammad tires of being patronised and has a rummage around some bran tubs. He pulls out the head of Times correspondent Frank Power, before presenting with the hand of his, Colonel.

Vote: Which of the five 3-0 NFL teams is the best in the league?

Three weeks into the NFL season and we’re down to five undefeated teams.

Last year the Panthers made it to 14 wins before their first loss. We’ll see if any of these five can take it that far.

With Boykin, the Seahawks used a lot of run-pass options, which he is familiar with from his days at TCU, and plenty of zone read.

The Seahawks’ playbook would shrink if they had to play Boykin for a whole game, but they don’t have to change the run game and can rely on some of the core concepts he’s familiar with.

5. The Seahawks are hoping to get Germain Ifedi back at right guard this week. Ifedi suffered a high ankle sprain before the opener but had a strong summer. If healthy, he’ll take over for J’Marcus Webb.

The Patriots, Ravens, Eagles, Vikings and defending champion Broncos enter Week 4 as the only teams with unblemished records.

So, we ask:

This year’s unbeaten crew is surprising, as four of the five are employing different starting quarterbacks from a year ago, while the Ravens’ Joe Flacco is back after tearing his ACL.

As one might expect, all five hold prime spots in this week’s ESPN Power Rankings. With second-year QB Trevor Siemian at the helm, the Broncos have reclaimed the top spot, boasting wins over two playoff teams and Andrew Luck’s Colts.

The Tom Brady-less Patriots have been besieged by injuries but hold down the No. 2 spot, with Brady set to return in Week 5. The Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson to injuries, but Sam Bradford’s addition, combined with a suffocating defense, has vaulted them to No. 4. The Eagles have ridden the hot hand of rookie QB Carson Wentz to No. 7, and the Ravens round out the top 10 at No. 10.

Bears, Jay Cutler unravel in another disappointing defeat

CHICAGO — Jay Cutler and Carson Wentz switched roles on Monday night.

While Wentz looked poised, accurate and polished in the pocket, Cutler played the role of shaky rookie, losing a key fumble and throwing a terrible interception before he left the game with a right-hand injury.

On a weekend when former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett put up sizable numbers for their new teams, the Bears’ current players — outside of Jeffery (five catches, 96 yards) and Royal (65-yard punt return for a TD) — barely had a pulse.

But maybe the biggest loss is Adam Gase, who after one year of coaching Cutler, left for Miami in the offseason. Gase could ultimately fail as the Dolphins’ head coach, but he understood how to call plays, and just as importantly, he knew how to connect with Cutler.

Rookie third-round pick Jacoby Brissett finished the game for the Patriots, while wide receiver Julian Edelman was the emergency quarterback.

Garoppolo was planted into the Gillette Stadium turf by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso and went to the locker room shortly thereafter. Garoppolo grimaced in pain after Alonso landed with all his weight on Garoppolo’s shoulder.

The injury came on one of those third-down conversions. Garoppolo held the ball for a long time and evaded pass rushers, eventually finding Malcolm Mitchell for a first down before taking a bit hit. The Patriots barely held on to the victory in the second half after going to a conservative offense.

The Patriots have proven adept at surviving without Tom Brady for two games. Now they might have to survive without Garoppolo for at least one more.