The Chicago Bears made a statement with a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, where they were able to overcome some sloppy play to improve to 5-2 this season.

It was ugly at times, despite the fact that the Bears led for the entire game. Penalties were once again an issue, as well as some drops, the pass defense struggled, the defensive line struggled to take advantage of a banged-up Patriots offensive line, tight end Cole Kmet suffered a knee injury that was a brutal blow for the offense and Cairo Santos' single doink nearly cost them the game -- until he kicked them to victory. But the fact of the matter is that Chicago was able to hold on for the win. 

Following the game, the Bears social team released a video inside the winning locker room, where head coach Ben Johnson addressed his team after their statement Week 7 victory.

Head coach Ben Johnson handed out four game balls to wide receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, linebacker D'Marco Jackson and kicker Cairo Santos. Burden had a monster first half with four catches for 130 yards and a touchdown while Odunze played a key role in the second half, totaling four catches for 69 yards and the game-clinching onside kick recovery. Jackson totaled six tackles, one pass breakup and an interception, the game's lone takeaway. Despite missing a 53-yard field goal earlier in the game, Santos connected on what would be the game-winning 58-yard field goal, a career-long.

The Bears came away with a big Week 7 win over the Patriots, which comes ahead of a 10-day break before another prime-time game, this one against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. But the mini-bye provides an opportunity for some much-needed rest and time for players to get healthy. Although, Week 8 presents another opportunity to make a statement against the defending Super Bowl champions.