The New England Patriots are back on national television on Thursday night, visiting the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The game is a high-profile matchup between two members of the famous 2024 quarterback class, and two teams with identical 4-2 records.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Patriots are seen as 3-point underdogs entering the game. Will they prove the oddsmakers wrong, though? Or will the Bears manage to defend their home turf? Let’s find out what Pats Pulpit’s staff and community
think.
Patriots vs. Bears score predictions
Bernd Buchmasser: Short weeks like this one are all about fundamentals and being able to make adjustments on the fly. Unfortunately for the Patriots, their adjustments include preparing a third-stringer at left guard and a fourth-stringer at right guard. If New England schemes this one cleverly, though, Drake Maye and company should still be able to move the ball; the Bears do not have the personnel to consistently take advantage of this potential mismatch. On the other side of the ball, Caleb Williams and Chicago’s offense might be down its RB2 Kyle Monangai and LT Braxton Jones, but they have plenty of talent across the board. Unless Zak Kuhr finds a way to get through the O-line consistently, the Bears also have the means to find some success in what should be a highly-contested affair decided by one or two mistakes. | Patriots 28, Bears 31
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Matt St. Jean: It really is unfortunate a battle between some of the most interesting teams in football with so little familiarity with one another ends up on a short week, because I would love to see what this could look like with more prep time. Perhaps we’ll find out in a few months. With the Patriots so banged up on the offensive line, I think that’s just enough to give the Bears the edge in what I expect to be a high-scoring and chaotic affair. | Patriots 28, Bears 30
Pat Lane: I think this is a tight game that will be a back-and-forth affair. Whichever team has the ball last might be the one to win, and in this prediction, that is the Patriots. The Bears are getting healthier, and the Patriots are more injured than ever, but I think Kyle Monangai being out is huge, and the Bears defense is weak enough that I think the Patriots will be able to score, even with all the injuries | Patriots 31, Bears 30
Dylan Klayman: This game will be somewhat of a shootout. With injuries on both sides, and it being a short week, I think we are in store for a chaotic game. The Drake Maye vs. Caleb Williams matchup will provide juice to both offenses in this one. But because of the Bears’ defense being a step down from the Patriots’ defense, I give the slight edge to New England. | Patriots 28, Bears 24
Andrew Guindon: I think this game will come down to the final minutes of regulation. Both teams will likely play some sloppy football on a short week, but I think the Bears have improved enough defensively from last season to help them edge this game out. While Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse helped Corey Kiner close out the game against the Jets, Chicago’s defensive coaches have had time to scheme and exploit the Patriots’ injuries. New England will move the ball through the air, and I think A.J. Brown will overcome his drop woes; however, outside of the Kyle Monangai injury, a healthy Bears offense with Caleb Williams may be enough to out-duel Maye and Co. | Patriots 28, Bears 27
What do you think? Do you agree with our assessment? Or do you feel differently one way or the other? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts with the rest of the community.
