This Week 10 matchup features the #3 overall draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, going up against the #1 overall pick. The two young quarterbacks Drake Maye and Caleb Williams will meet at Solider Field in The Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Let’s jump in and take a look at the Patriots-Bears preview and predictions.
The New England Patriots have had a season full of ups, but mostly downs so far in 2024. They started off by upsetting the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and taking Seattle to overtime in Week 2. Since then they’ve dropped three of four games and currently hold the #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if it started today. They sit at just 2-7 through nine weeks. Their star safety Kyle Duggar didn’t participate in practice again Wednesday, leaving his status for Sunday in question. A slew of other Patriots’ defenders remain limited at practice but are likely to play. Most importantly for New England, Drake Maye is healthy and ready to play.
Chicago has had its own rollercoaster season for nine weeks. They opened up with a win at home over Tennessee before dropping their next two games. Then it was a three-game win streak before losing their last two games on the road bringing their record to 4-4. This Bear’s team is beat up. Montez Sweat, Tevin Jenkins, Jaquan Brisker, and Jaylon Jones headline a long injury report for the team.
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears Preview and Predictions Video
New England Patriots at Chicago Bears Preview and Predictions
Drake Maye Over 25.5 Rushing Yards (-125)
The Patriots young quarterback has been showing off his rushing prowess since he took over the play calling duties for the team in Week six. In three of the four games he’s started he’s surpassed this total, pretty easily a few times. Last week against the Tennessee Titans Maye scrambled for 95 yards on eight carries. The week before against the Jets he went for 46 yards.
This Chicago Bears defense is a tough one ranking in the top third of the league in total yards allowed per game (322.9). However, rushing quarterbacks have been able to have some good games against them. They held Kyler Murray to just six rush yards on two attempts last week. It could be argued that’s because the Cardinals had the game in hand and Kyler didn’t need to run. I don’t foresee that being the case this week for Maye. He’ll likely be running for his life as the Bears chase him around and the Patriots try to keep the game close. Jayden Daniels ran for 52 yards while Anthony Richardson got 24 and Will Levis went for 36 against them.
Chicago Bears -5 (-135)
Interestingly enough the Chicago Bears are 0-4 on the road, but 3-0 when they play at home in the friendly confines of Solider Field. They’ve even won their “home” game on the neutral site in London. Each game they’ve won at home they’ve won by more than five points, and they’ve covered the spread in all three home games.
W/Today’s #Bears win
-8 game win streak at home
-3-0 at home this year
-2-0 against the NFC
-Over .500
-Dexter Sr. W/4 sacks in 5 games
-Williams with 300+ passing yards
-Swift with back-to-back rushing TD games
-3 TD’s in last 2 games for MooreVibe.are.high pic.twitter.com/6cGE7wbtfn
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) October 6, 2024
They’ve shown the ability to beat bad teams, they beat Caronila by 26 and Jacksonville by 19 points. The Patriots are a bad team and there’s not really a way around that. With just two wins on the season, their record against the spread isn’t much better at just 3-5-1. I don’t expect this game to be close as the Bears pull away fairly easily.
