Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 7 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Bears 27, Patriots 24
A road Thursday game with a banged-up offensive line, and lengthy overall injury report, is a tough spot.
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Bears
Mike Clay, ESPN: Bears
Jeremy Fowler, ESPN: Bears
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Bears
Kalyn Kahler, ESPN: Bears
Pamela Maldonado, ESPN: Patriots
Eric Moody, ESPN: Patriots
Jason Reid, ESPN: Bears
Ben Solak, ESPN: Bears
Lindsey Thiry, ESPN: Bears
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
NFL.COM
Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com: Bears 24, Patriots 17
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Bears 32, Patriots 27
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Bears 26, Patriots 19
Bobby Kownack, NFL.com: Patriots 31, Bears 21
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Bears 28, Patriots 23
Why Dan picked the Bears: Injuries could catch up to New England. We saw in Green Bay that the Bears' defense is susceptible to the aerial attack, but Drake Maye -- while red hot in the last two and a half games -- will be without his leading receiver (Romeo Doubs), and A.J. Brown appears to be far from top form after his drop-plagued return from injury last week. On the offensive line, the Patriots are down to their third-string right guard and second-string left guard. Also, they'll be without starting CB Carlton Davis III for the third straight contest. The Bears will be missing a big part of their offense, too, with Kyle Monangai still sidelined, but they were able to get back to their dominant ways in time of possession without Monangai last week against a run defense that has been stingier than Mike Vrabel's so far. If the ultra-efficient version of Caleb Williams shows up again, Chicago will be tough to beat. New England is one of the teams good enough to do so, but with the Pats having a short week to prepare for a road game against a fellow contender, I'll take the home squad.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 28, Bears 27
This is a big game for both teams, a tough one for the road team on a short week. Both teams can score, which should make this a fun one to watch. I think the Patriots have the better defense and that will be the difference. They overcome the road to win a much-needed game.
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Bears
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Patriots
John Breech, CBS Sports: Bears
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Bears
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Bears
Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports: Bears
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio: Bears 24, Patriots 20
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Bears 31, Patriots 27
Banged-up Patriots fall just short in Chicago.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Bears 28, Patriots 24
I'm torn here. I think the Patriots are in a tough spot with their injuries adding up on a short week. But there's just something about Mike Vrabel's Patriots that makes me think they tend to perform unexpectedly well in these kinds of games. I'm picking Chicago but I don't feel great about it.
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 33, Bears 30
I've gone back and forth with this game. Normally, I'd pick the Bears as the home team on a Thursday night, especially with the Patriots injuries. But something tells me Mike Vrabel, who always seems to know what buttons to press, will have his team ready to play.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
