Previewing New England’s Week 7 Matchup at the Chicago Bears | Patriots Roundtable Podcast

The New England Patriots (4-2) are on the road again.

This Thursday, New England will be heading to the windy city for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Chicago Bears (4-2). A duel between former top-three overall picks under center and greatly contrasting coaching staffs on the sidelines will make this an intriguing battle — especially on a short week to prepare.

On today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast, hosts Eddie Marotta and Tyler Geis preview the Patriots’ primetime showdown — examining matchups that could swing the game’s result, keys to victory on both sides of the football, and predicting the game’s outcome. 

Drake Maye and the New England offense kept rolling through their third consecutive victory in Week 6. Maye became the first quarterback for the franchise to toss three touchdowns in three straight games since Tom Brady in 2014, but his slow-developing chemistry with A.J. Brown was the major headline exiting the win. Brown’s three receptions on 10 targets and four drops set a floor, but he’ll be sure to reach closer to his ceiling in primetime.

In the meantime, Maye has found a new rapport with DeMario Douglas, who has totaled 11 catches, 151 yards, and three touchdowns over the last two weeks. The Patriots will look to keep pushing forward against a Chicago defense that has been stiff against the pass, and will need to find ways to manufacture offense without guards Alijah Vera-Tucker or Ben Brown — who are likely to miss Thursday night’s game.

On the other sideline, Caleb Williams is back — and seemingly better than ever — for a Bears offense that ranks near the top of the league in several statistical categories. Williams is currently the NFL leader in completion percentage (72.5%) and has leaned on hefty contributions from Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze to manufacture yards after the catch.

A heavy-personnel dependent offense, Chicago has run more multiple tight end sets than any team in the NFL, and have made great use of running back D'Andre Swift’s dual-threat abilities to keep them on schedule, and on the field. The Bears’ 73.2 offensive plays per game are a league-best mark, as are their 50.2 defensive snaps per game.

New England will need to be at their best to overcome a creative Chicago offense led by head coach Ben Johnson, and a stifling Bears defense led by Dennis Allen. Both sides of the ball will likely see new wrinkles that haven’t been present — and are difficult to adjust to — with just three days to prepare for another 60 minute tilt.

It should be a fun one in Chicago.

How do you think the Patriots will fare in their primetime matchup against the Bears on Thursday night? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.

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