Bears vs. Patriots predictions: Can Caleb Williams take step forward in 'must-win'?

It’s funny how drastically a narrative can shift in two weeks. After the Week 7 bye, the sky was the limit for the 4-2 Chicago Bears.

Sure, the rest of the NFC North was enjoying successful starts, but the Bears were right in the thick of it with their rookie quarterback growing exponentially after a rough start to the year.

Heading into Week 10 at 4-4, the sky is falling. A heartbreaking loss on a Hail Mary in Washington changed the vibes. And while the Bears could’ve put their season right back on track in Arizona the following weekend, they failed to show up in all phases.

Offensively, the Bears reached the red zone just one time in the desert, settling for three field goals and failing to punch it into the end zone. Defensively, Chicago allowed 213 rushing yards to Kyler Murray, James Conner and Emari Demercado. On special teams, a field goal block attempt turned in a first down for Arizona.

Missteps across the field proved costly against the Cardinals. But as the Bears return to Soldier Field with the longest home winning streak in the NFL (8 at Soldier, 1 in London), it’s a prime opportunity for the Bears against the Patriots with the Packers on deck.

Can Caleb Williams find his deep ball? Will Chicago be able to stop the run? Can a beat-up line protect Williams? Will the defense allow another touchdown in the waning moments of a half?

The outside noise is only a getting louder, but a solid win in Chicago on Sunday would allow the Bears to hit mute and turn the televisions off at Halas Hall for a week.

Adam Hoge (4-4) | Bears 16, Patriots 10

I really don’t like the vibes on offense. There are probably 29 opponents I would pick the Bears to lose to this week, but the Patriots are not one of them. Matt Eberflus hasn’t lost a home game in almost 13 months and that streak should continue for one more week.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Check out Adam Hoge’s latest ‘Bears Things’ newsletter on the offense lacking an identity and the biggest matchup to watch on Sunday.

Nicholas Moreano (5-3) | Bears 20, Patriots 13

The Bears haven’t given anyone a reason to confidently pick them after the last two weeks, but I’m doing it. Soldier Field has clearly been a safe haven for the Bears, and the Patriots are by no means a daunting opponent. The Bears should be healthier in this matchup than they were a week ago. Knowing the Bears, it won’t be pretty, but they get their fifth win of the season thanks to a big game by Keenan Allen and Kyler Gordon.

🎥FILM ROOM | Nicholas Moreano talks to Jack Sanborn and Gervon Dexter Sr. about plays from the Bears’ loss to the Cardinals.

Corey Wootton (5-3) | Bears 21, Patriots 17

Must-win game. They grind it out, it’s not pretty but they get the dub.

Mark Carman (7-1) | Bears 23, Patriots 22

I am still kicking myself for believing in the Bears last week. But, we are moving on. New England can’t stop the run, giving up nearly 5 yards per carry in their last 5 games. Shane Waldron has to go back to basics, right? Ball on the ground to setup the pass. Montez Sweat is back as is Kyler Gordon. Drake Maye will throw interceptions. Jaylon Johnson had the look of someone who knows he is going to get one at practice today. Bears eek one out to stop the bleeding.

Greg Braggs Jr. (5-3) | Bears 24, Patriots 13

The Bears are reeling but they are fortunate to be playing the Patriots at home. Perfect timing because if it was anyone else on their schedule, they would be losing. We won’t learn much about who this Bears team is this week vs a bad Patriots team. That comes next vs Green Bay. That being said, I can look past New England all I want. For Eberflus’ sake, I hope he and his team are not. Lose this game and Ryan Poles might have no choice but to let some people go.

Patrick Norton (3-5) | Patriots 20, Bears 16

Much has been said this season about the lack of chemistry between Caleb Williams and DJ Moore. I think it’s been overblown, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Shane Waldron try to scheme up some gimmes to Moore to avoid having to answer questions about the connection next week.

But the problems for the Bears aren’t between Caleb and his receivers. Injuries have put the trenches up for grabs for opponents, both on offense and defense. With Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright and Kiran Amegadjie all out for Sunday, I don’t see how Chicago will successfully be able to keep Williams upright for very long.

And then there’s Andrew Billings, who is likely out for the season with a torn pectoral. Good luck replacing his 311-pound presence in the A gap. Zacch Pickens is as ready as anybody could be to take over the workload, but it’s easier said than done for a second-year defensive tackle that’s missed significant time due to injury.

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Super Producer Stephen Nicholas (5-3) | Bears 20, Patriots 14

Only the Carolina Panthers have allowed more rush yards to opposing running backs than the New England Patriots. This shapes up as a D’Andre Swift game to take some pressure off of Caleb Williams and the offense. Might be a 4th-straight game under 40 yards for DJ Moore with Christian Gonzalez likely shadowing him, but the Bears get back on track for a much-needed win.

Kevin Kaduk (5-3) | Bears 24, Patriots 13

Boy, I’d really like last week’s prediction back. But I don’t get the feeling I’ll have the same sense of regret over this one. Matt Eberflus’ win column has almost been entirely been built on taking care of business against woefully inferior teams at home.  This week’s matchup definitely fits the bill with the Tankathon-topping New England Patriots worlds away from the franchise’s previous 20 years.  Twenty-four points for the beloved may seem high, but they’ll come from a pick six and really good field position.