(Photo: Boston Globe)
Intriguing Game- NFL, Week Seven
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
Patriots (4-2):
It feels like déjà vu all over again for the defending AFC champs. I remember that prior to their winning streak last season, they beat the Buffalo Bills and didn’t look back, going on to win their next ten consecutive games. This year, after a slower start, they handed the Bills their first loss of the regular season and have since won their last three games. They’ve had a tougher schedule, and if you look at their first four games of the season, they opened the year against Seattle, played the Steelers in Week 2, the Jaguars in Week 3, and the Bills in Week 4, as I mentioned. All four of those teams have one thing in common: they were playoff teams a season ago. I was also concerned about Drake Maye and how freely he was giving the ball away with the number of turnovers he was committing. Since then, however, he’s taken tremendous strides and has been looking like the quarterback who finished second in MVP voting last year. The Patriots’ offense has been clicking because of better play-calling, varied looks, and the ability to get Drake into a rhythm, which always helps. Now, the win on Sunday against the Jets was far from perfect, but I noticed how their defense made timely plays when it mattered most, and that’s all you can ask of your unit at the end of the day. Again, it’s not about what happens to you; it’s how you respond. After the blowout loss to the Jaguars, I like how they responded to adversity. All you can do is turn the page and look forward, which is exactly what they’ve done. Week 7 kicks off tonight, and the Patriots make their way to Chicago for a showdown on Thursday Night Football.
Bears (4-2):
They were able to manage without Caleb Williams for three games, winning two of those contests in his absence. One thing I always look at is how a team responds to adversity, especially after losing a game the way they did against the Packers the week before. Caleb returned, and the offense picked up where it left off with No. 18 under center. He showed zero rust, completing his first ten passes and building an early 14-0 lead in the process. Coming into the season, the biggest question facing the Bears was whether they could get off to quicker starts. Last season, they’d often start slowly and find ways to come back and win, which always had me on the edge of my seat. Here’s why starting quickly is so important: it allows you to control the game and dictate the tempo. My biggest takeaway, however, was how the Bears converted four of their five red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, which tells me they’re finishing drives. Now, I know the defense struggled later in this game, but overall, I saw a few positives. First, they held the Falcons to just 3-of-12 on third down. Second, when they needed stops in the fourth quarter, they came through. I just wish their pass rush was better, and I’ve read that they’re looking into bringing Khalil Mack back to the team. If you’ve noticed a trend with Bears defenses, they’ve always had a leader. Back in the day, it was Mike Singletary. In the early 2000s, and until he retired, it was Brian Urlacher. Acquiring Khalil would add the veteran presence this defense needs. Tonight, the Bears return home and welcome the AFC champs to town.
Patriots X-Factor: DeMario Douglas
After Hunter Henry, I’d say DeMario is Drake’s safety valve because whenever he needs a receiver to make a catch, this is the guy who can make it happen! DeMario has the ability to get open underneath and provide Maye with an easy yet quick outlet. He can also make defenders miss in space. With Romeo Doubs out, this could be DeMario’s time to shine and I have a feeling Drake will look his way a few times tonight.
Bears X-Factor: D’Andre Swift
I feel the Bears are a much better offense when they feed D’Andre the football. Establishing him early will allow the Bears to maintain balance and dictate the pace of the game. If D’Andre can consistently gain yards, this will shift the Patriots’ focus from Caleb to the ground game, forcing them to adjust their defensive scheme accordingly. Sustained rushing drives also keep the New England offense on the sidelines.
Final Thoughts:
Tonight will mark the Bears’ first home game since the passing of Mike Ditka. Caleb Williams was the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and two picks later, at No. 3, the Patriots selected Drake Maye. This will mark just the second meeting between the two young quarterbacks. This is also a very interesting coaching matchup, with Mike Vrabel bringing a physical, disciplined approach to the game against Ben Johnson, who loves an aggressive offensive scheme. For New England, it starts with containing Caleb. I’d pressure him up the middle and try to fluster him into making off-platform throws. The Patriots must also maintain discipline against Ben Johnson’s scheme while allowing Drake to lean on play-action. Can the Bears control the clock and keep Caleb protected? They need to lean on their running game, which is among the best in the league, while keeping Caleb upright against this Vrabel-led defense. They must play clean football, keep the offense on schedule, and make Drake Maye uncomfortable. Disrupt his timing early, disguise coverages, and prevent him from finding a rhythm. He’s been given time to throw and has been able to hit his receivers in stride, so getting pressure on him will be critical. This should be a fun way to kick off another week of NFL action. Ultimately, this game will come down to which team can protect its quarterback more consistently and which takes better care of the football. I see this one coming down to the fourth quarter.
