New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears: Four Players To Watch
By Cyrus Geller
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) fumbles the ball into the end zone while being tackled by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
3. Patriots’ Linebackers/Patrick Chung
The Pats may catch a break this week, as Chicago’s Martellus Bennett missed yesterday’s practice, but if he is indeed active on Sunday, the Patriots will have to deal with one of the most dangerous tight ends in the game.
As you know, New England struggles with covering tight ends, especially with Jerod Mayo out for the year. Jamie Collins is excellent in coverage, but Patrick Chung and Dont’a Hightower have a lot of trouble with the quicker tight ends, and they will be tasked with covering Bennett for some of the game.
Hopefully Collins can take Bennett for most of this matchup, but when Chung and Hightower are forced to take on the big tight end, Devin McCourty has to be ready to back them up, because I promise they will get burned more than once. Expect Cutler to force-feed Bennett if he is healthy.
4. Brock Vereen
Brother versus brother.
This could be fun.
Brock and Shane Vereen will be facing off for the first time in this one, and while that inside matchup is very intriguing, I really believe the younger brother (Brock) will be a key element in this contest. The Patriots’ offense has the obvious advantage across the board, meaning every member of their receiving corps will probably win their individual matchup with the Bears’ secondary, especially with Kyle Fuller out.
To keep Chicago in the game, Vereen has to try and keep everything in front of him, to prevent the Pats from completely obliterating the scoreboard. Gronk, Edelman, the other Vereen, and LaFell will get their fair share of yards. But if the Bears allow the Pats to get their deep passing game going again, Brady and company could easily hang 35 or more on the Bears.