The 4-2 Patriots are back on the road this weekend, traveling to Chicago to take on the 3-2 Bears. Bears head coach Matt Nagy is an Andy Reid disciple which could give Patriots fans a bit of a reason to worry. Nagy was the offensive coordinator for last year’s Chiefs team that tore the Pats a new one in the season opener.
Second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky has made solid strides with 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions in leading the Bears to wins over Seahawks, Cardinals and Buccaneers before an overtime loss to the Dolphins last week. The offense is 10th in points and 4th on third down. But it’s the defense that is the more impressive side of the ball where the Bears are 4th in points against and 12th on third down.
They’re led by Khalil Mack, who will be trying to overcome an ankle injury that will limit him in this one (hopefully). The Bears defense is fast, featuring a similar package to what the Patriots’ defense often runs with two down linemen and four standing linebackers who can all run. The Bears have the number one defense in Football Outsiders.
The Pats are winless on the road this season and will be looking to get on track after having lost just once on the road in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Bears should provide a good challenge and have the right kind of schemes to attack the Patriots’ weaknesses.
What do the Pats have to do to move to 5-2? Here’s the gameplan.
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