The trade deadline has come and gone, and at 2-7, the Patriots are exactly what most people thought they would be, and that is a team that is closer to the number one pick in the 2025 draft, not a Super Bowl contender. The Patriots stood pat at the deadline, and head into this week's matchup against the Bears in Chicago mired in inconsistency, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
While this will be an intriguing battle featuring rookie quarterbacks Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, both the Patriots and the Bears are reeling.
New England lost in overtime to an equally bad Tennessee team last week, while Chicago, coming off a loss on a Hail Mary in Washington, got blitzed by the Cardinals in Arizona.
Something has to give here, and if the Patriots can be on point in three areas, they can come out of the Windy City with a much-needed win.
3 ways the New England Patriots can beat the Chicago Bears in Week 10
1. Get Rhamondre Stevenson going
When your quarterback is your leading rusher - as Maye was last week in Tennessee with 95 yards on the ground - that won't get it done. Stevenson has been on a milk carton these last few games, and if the Patriots don't find some sort of running game soon, opposing defensive lines will start to tee off on Maye.
Look for the Patriots to establish Stevenson early and try to get some play-action going.
2. Keep Caleb Williams in the pocket
Any defensive coordinator will tell you the worst place for any member of your front seven to be is behind the quarterback. Williams is athletic and can escape the pocket, so the Patriots can not let him get outside the hash marks.
Williams has 221 yards rushing through eight games for Chicago, so like Maye, he can get it done with his legs and arm. New England's linebackers and safeties will have to be disciplined, and can the Patriots force Williams into a couple of rookie mistakes?
3. Can Drake Maye rebound?
Maye threw a couple of bad interceptions and lost a fumble in last week's loss at the Titans, with the fumble leading to a Tennessee touchdown and the second interception in overtime clinching the game for the Titans. Rookie mistakes will happen, but how Maye can respond after making a game-losing mistake will tell us a lot about his development and maturity.
Maye needs to have a big day for the Patriots to get a win, so look for a 275-yard, two-touchdown, 50-yards rushing type of effort.