The Chicago Bears have not been looking forward to this next stretch of games, but they will be tested in Week 7, as they face the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.
Chicago is coming off a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, putting them at 4-2. Now they face the two teams from last year's Super Bowl. One of them they get on a short week.
The Bears will need some great performances, so we're offering bold predictions for how we think the game will go against the Patriots. Here are some bold predictions for the game.
Bold predictions for the Bears in their Week 7 matchup against the Patriots
Roschon Johnson leads the Bears in rushing the second straight week
Johnson actually led the Bears in rushing last week with 51 yards, while D'Andre Swift only had 44 yards on 16 carries. Watch for the same thing to happen again with Swift on a slump without Kyle Monangai in the backfield with him. Johnson could get more that 50 yards in this game again (with some help from his quarterback).
Dillon Thieneman puts up similar stats to Kyler Gordon's Week 6 performance
Gordon was a monster in Week 6, recording three sacks and two forced fumbles in just 17 snaps. Thieneman plays many more snaps, and New England will focus more on keeping Gordon from hurting them. That should open the door for Thieneman to get multiple sacks and create turnovers, as a rookie playing his way to Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Jaylon Johnson gets his first interception of the season
It has been a horrible season for Johnson, who has allowed 19 receptions and a passer rating of over 115. Against the Patriots, though, the Bears are facing a passing game that has struggled throughout the season for them. Johnson will go up against A.J. Brown, who is coming off a three-drop game. Chicago might get lucky and see a Johnson interception in this game.
Bears get five sacks a second straight week against Patriots' depleted offensive line
Against the Falcons, the Bears were feasting on Michael Penix Jr., recording five sacks and 22 pressures in the win. New England will miss multiple starting offensive linemen. That should only entice Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to run more blitzes and post another five-sack game, with more pressures this time.
Caleb Williams will have over 50 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground
Read more: Bears' Jaylon Johnson might be catching A.J. Brown at the right time
Last week, Williams was excellent in the pocket, completing over 83% of his passes, but he managed only three rushing yards on four carries. He might be cautious with the hamstring, but that's about to change against the Patriots. Williams gets more comfortable running the ball in this game, and with it being a short week, things might be more out of rhythm. Williams could use his legs more often and maybe score twice on the ground with at least 50 yards rushing.
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