Preview: New England Patriots Host Reeling Chicago Bears

Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Week 8: Chicago Bears (3-4) @ New England Patriots (5-2)

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.

Time: 1:00 p.m.

TV/Radio: FOX/98.5 The Sports Hub

Live Stream: Watch Here

The well-rested New England Patriots will be in search of their sixth win of the season on Sunday when they host a reeling Chicago Bears squad at Gillette Stadium. New England is 3-0 against the Bears in their last three meetings. The Bears have lost three of their last four games.

The Patriots defeated the New York Jets in their last game back on Thursday Night Football, since then, they’ve had 10 days to rest, recover and prepare for the drama-laden Bears. The Miami Dolphins trounced Chicago this past sunday, leading to an uproar within their locker room.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall labeled the Bears recent failures as “unacceptable.” He’s issued a challenge to his teammates to rise up and win. Chicago’s capability of doing just that is in question as many doubt whether they have enough quality characters and leaders to do so. It also won’t be easy righting the ship against a Patriots squad that seems to have found its way on offense.

More from New England Patriots

After watching Dolphins signal-caller Ryan Tannehill pick apart the Bears defense last week, Tom Brady has to be salivating at the opportunity that awaits him in this contest.

The Bears are beat up on defense. Linebacker Lance Briggs is doubtful and corner Kyle Fuller has been hindered by a nagging injury. They can certainly be passed on and run on. Tom Brady will shred their defense, especially if they can establish the run early on. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman could be in for monster performances.

Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson of Green Bay made minced meat out of Chicago’s secondary earlier in the season. Assuming the Patriots offensive line continues to mesh, Brady should have a great deal of time to progress through his reads and find the open man all afternoon.

With top pass rusher Chandler Jones sidelined for the foreseeable future, the key to defensive success for the Patriots will be the play of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner on the outside of the field. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will look to get the ball to his two massive wideouts, Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. If Revis and Browner can limit them through physical play at the line of scrimmage, the workload with fall upon running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett.

The play of linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, along with New England’s safeties, will be key in slowing the Bears secondary aerial weapons. Rob Ninkovich’s ability to rush the passer could influence Cutler’s decision making in the pocket. Cutler has thrown seven picks this season. The interior defensive line must generate a push to slow the heavy-running Forte.

Simply put, the Patriots will win this ballgame if they get off to a fast start. Any sort of doubt from the get-go could be disastrous for the Bears as they are already teetering on the edge of irreparable harm. Also it’s worth noting that the Patriots have won 11 straight games at home.

My Prediction: Patriots 34, Bears 20

Home/New England Patriots