CHI to win-147
TLDR: Chicago gets a healthy Caleb Williams against a Patriots team down both starting guards and 3 corners on a 4-day turnaround, and that matters more than Chicago's missing pass rushers.
Point
- Patriots guards
Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown are ruled out, so Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor start at guard with 4 days to gel.
- Right tackle
Morgan Moses is questionable with a foot injury, and if he sits, Caleb Lomu makes his first NFL start beside a backup guard.
- Patriots corners
Carlton Davis misses a 3rd straight game and Karon Prunty and Channing Canada are out too, leaving New England short at corner against Williams.
- Williams' hamstring
Williams came off the injury report Monday, so the hamstring that cost him 3 games is not a listed limitation on the short week.
Counterpoint
- Bears edge rush
Montez Sweat serves the 2nd game of his suspension and Dayo Odeyingbo is on IR, so Chicago lacks the edges to punish New England's backups.
- Bears linebackers
T.J. Edwards is doubtful, Jack Sanborn is out and Tyrique Stevenson is questionable, so the middle of the field Maye likes to attack is thin again.
Neutral
- Weather
Mostly clear, about 58 degrees, a 5 mph northeast wind and no rain, so neither passing game loses anything on the lakefront.
- Soldier Field
The Bears are 2-1 at home this year, and Williams missed both home wins with the hamstring, so this is his first home start since Week 2.