The Chicago Bears can improve to 5-2 Thursday night when they host the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. And if the latest expert predictions are any indication, Bears fans have reason to feel optimistic.
Both teams enter Week 7 at 4-2, but Chicago has a few advantages that could make the difference, including home-field advantage and a Patriots offensive line dealing with significant injuries.
Here's how several NFL analysts expect Thursday night's game to unfold.
Bears vs. Patriots expert score predictions
Expert | Predicted final score |
|---|---|
John Breech, CBS Sports | Bears 27, Patriots 20 |
Mike Reiss, ESPN | Bears 27, Patriots 24 |
Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times | Bears 27, Patriots 21 |
Jason Lieser, Chicago Sun-Times | Bears 24, Patriots 23 |
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports | Patriots 28, Bears 27 |
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com | Bears 31, Patriots 27 |
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com | Patriots 33, Bears 30 |
Five of these seven analysts are picking Chicago, although most expect a competitive game.
Breech believes the Bears' pass rush can capitalize on injuries to New England's offensive line. Reiss also favors Chicago, citing the difficulty of playing a Thursday road game with a depleted o-line.
Prisco sees things differently. He's picking New England because he believes the Patriots have the stronger defense. That may be true on paper, but I wouldn't underestimate the upside of Dennis Allen's group now that Kyler Gordon is healthy.
Why the Bears could win
One reason: Caleb Williams.
Iceman is fresh off one of his best pro outings, completing 30 of 36 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' Week 6 win over the Falcons. He returns to Soldier Field in front of a home crowd that undoubtedly can't wait to see No. 18 work some magic. And magic he will make.
Williams will play smart football; he'll stay away from Christian Gonzalez, and he'll end Week 7 giving fans (and critics) another reason to view him as an inevitable MVP candidate.
Sure, the Bears defense could emerge as the bigger storyline Thursday night. Especially with the mash unit that is the Patriots' offensive line. But a game like this -- a quick turnaround time on the national stage -- usually comes down to the quarterback.
Give me Williams over Maye.
BearsTalk final score prediction
Bears 27, Patriots 24
I expect a competitive game, but Williams and Chicago's offensive weapons should make enough plays to secure another victory.
The Patriots won't make it easy, but with injuries to New England's offensive line and the Bears playing at home, Chicago has a slight edge.
Going 5-2 with a mini-bye before facing the Seahawks in Week 8 would put the Bears in a great spot as the second half of the season inches closer.
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