As the short week began for the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, the two teams released two very different injury reports ahead of their matchup on Thursday Night Football.
The Bears had six players listed in what was an estimation, since they did not hold an official practice.
Meanwhile, the Patriots had 17 players on their injury report.
While there is still a little bit of time to go before the game kicks off, things are looking ripe for a Bears advantage in one key area.
Patriots' offensive line injury woes might pave the way for another Dennis Allen masterclass
On Tuesday, during his time with the Patriots' media, head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that both starting guards will probably not play in this one: Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker.
In addition to Brown and Vera-Tucker being hurt, the Patriots may also be without starting right tackle Morgan Moses. Vrabel said Moses has a shot to play, but if he doesn't, that would make it three starting offensive linemen missing for the Patriots.
New England's first-round pick this year, Caleb Lomu, would fill in at one of those spots. And Lomu should be able to fill in admirably. He's a solid and versatile player. But he doesn't account for the loss of three starters.
Chicago could also end up seeing a familiar face, in Matt Pryor, who may be in line to start.
The Bears' defense has been incredibly efficient on blitzes this year. Chicago surprisingly has the fourth-most sacks in the league, right now, with 17.0 in six games.
The way Dennis Allen was able to deploy Kyler Gordon in his first game back was nothing short of spectacular. it was a performance to remember. But Gordon isn't the only one who will be deployed in that way.
The Bears will also send players like Dillon Thieneman and Clark Phillips on those defensive back blitzes, making it tough on a banged-up Patriots offensive line and potentially giving Drake Maye a lot to handle.
A.J. Brown not being fully healthy could give the Bears' secondary a break
Not only could the Patriots' offensive line be an issue, but in case you didn't watch A.J. Brown in his return from a high-ankle sprain last weekend, Chicago's defense may not have to worry about the Patriots' top wideout being fully healthy.
Brown was credited with four dropped passes, depending on which outlet you trust. From the viewer's perspective, though, it was four drops.
Brown also looked like he was running in slow motion for much of the day. Clearly, he could have waited to come back another week. The rust was apparent, but in no way did he look fully healthy.
Last year with the Eagles, Brown torched Chicago for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bears' win over Philadelphia. We know what he's capable of at full strength, and with the way this Bears secondary has played for much of the year, a healthy A.J. Brown could do some serious damage.
With Romeo Doubs on injured reserve and Mack Hollins also being hurt, the Patriots will depend on receivers like Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism alongside Brown.
The Patriots may also be without starting cornerback Carlton Davis III, who is working through a neck injury. Davis tops a list of Patriots cornerbacks who are all appearing on the injury report, which also includes Karon Prunty and Channing Canada, both dealing with hamstring issues.
Read more: D'Andre Swift missing from Bears injury report doesn't tell the whole story
In total, the Patriots have a chance to be down by anywhere from 2-7 starters in this game, which means Chicago has to take advantage of where they see opportunities.
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