How will you ever know if you don’t try?
A question designed to motivate, the New England Patriots just showed why you shouldn’t dismiss the chance of something happening – even if the odds aren’t in your favor.
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Faced with the seemingly impossible task of scoring points outside of field goal range with just three seconds left in the half against the Chicago Bears on “Thursday Night Football,” the Patriots needed a miracle. And they got one.
Drake Maye dumped a pass off to Rhamondre Stevenson, who figured he could probably pad his stats before heading to the locker room. The running back galloped towards the end zone without a Bears defender even getting a hand on him, padding his stats with a 48-yard receiving touchdown.
The pictures might be worth more than a thousand words in this case:
Maybe the Bears thought the half was over. If so, they were wrong.
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Stevenson played through the whistle and managed to effectively erase the Bears’ touchdown just moments before, sending New England into the half with a much more manageable deficit of only six points.
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Above, Deebo Samuel Sr. #19 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Quinn Rooney, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Above, Deebo Samuel Sr. #19 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Quinn Rooney, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Parker Washington of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates scoring his teams first touchdown during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England.
(Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Parker Washington of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates scoring his teams first touchdown with teammates during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England.
(Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos runs for a rushing touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Dominick Puni #77 after his rushing touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 11, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after catching a 17-yard touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at Acrisure Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Nico Collins #12 after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
Marshawn Lloyd #32 of the Green Bay Packers leaps into the stands after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Lambeau Field on October 11, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Daniel Bartel, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with Darnell Washington #80 during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Myles Price #4 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his punt return for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Christian Watson #9 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on September 24, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Mike Gesicki #88 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Michael Hickey, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Dawson Knox #88 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the game at Caesars Superdome on October 05, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Field on October 01, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates scoring a touchdown on a 56 yard pass play against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Chris Unger, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Ceedee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants runs for a touchdown as Isaiah Likely #9 of the New York Giants celebrates during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on September 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Lamar Jackson #8 against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Jonathan Taylor #28 and Keenan Allen #10 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate after a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Johnnie Izquierdo, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Quinn Rooney, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Garrett Wilson #5 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Kenyon Sadiq #16 against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints of the game at Ford Field on September 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Aaron Jones Sr. #33 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with fans after his rushing touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter of a game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Stephen Maturen, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Ja’marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Terrance Ferguson #18 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on September 21, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
James Cook III #4 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Timothy T Ludwig, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Demarcus Robinson #11 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Quinn Rooney, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after his receiving touchdown against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Evan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Quinn Meinerz #77 after scoring a 19 yard touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on September 27, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after scoring a 45 yard touchdown against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Case Keenum #11 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Soldier Field on September 28, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Cody White #82 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers with Ashton Jeanty #2 at SoFi Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Chris Lindstrom #63 after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on September 24, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his team’s touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of a game at Levi’s Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates his touchdown with Paris Johnson Jr. #70 during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Baltimore Ravens’ running back #22 Derrick Henry celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the NFL match between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 27, 2026.
(MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Ceedee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans of the game at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his receiving touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of a game at Levi’s Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown, to take a 23-14 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Field on October 01, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Cade Otton #88 against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Braelon Allen #0 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
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Best touchdown celebrations NFL fans won’t forget from the 2026 season
Marshawn Lloyd #32 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets with Skyy Moore #23 and Kitan Oladapo #27 during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the touchdown more than doubled the Patriots’ win probability from 10.2% to 24.5%, while Stevenson only had a 4.3% chance of scoring.
Turns out, the touchdown was far from impossible.
Even if it was improbable.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What were the Bears doing? Patriots score improbable TD on final play before halftime
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