5 things to watch in Thursday’s Chicago Bears-New England Patriots matchup — plus our Week 7 predictions

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and his New England Patriots counterpart, Drake Maye, both top-three picks in the 2024 draft, face each other for the second time in their careers Thursday night at Soldier Field.

Maye and the Patriots won the first showdown 19-3 on Nov. 10, 2024, when the quarterbacks were rookies — a nine-sack day for Williams at Soldier Field.

In his career, Maye has compiled a 21-14 record in 36 games (35 starts) with a 68.7% completion percentage, 57 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions.

Williams has an 18-19 record in 37 starts with a 61.2% completion percentage, 50 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.

But as much as the signal callers will soak up the “Thursday Night Football” spotlight (7:15, Prime Video, Fox-32), the Bears (4-2) and Patriots (4-2) will meet as complete teams.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel called the Bears “physical.”

“Defensively, they’re connected. … Offensively, they extend drives,” Vrabel said. “They run the football (the league’s No. 1 rushing offense). They’ve been without Caleb for a couple weeks, but certainly you can see the impact that he makes.

“We’ll have to be great tacklers and do something to try to change the fact that their offense is out there for 73 snaps and their defense is out there for 50.”

Bears coach Ben Johnson, whose team is coming off an impressive 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons, held similar sentiments about Vrabel’s Patriots, the Super Bowl runner-up last season.

“There’s a reason why Vrabel’s been coach of the year, and his team certainly plays that way,” Johnson said. “It’s a sound, smart, physical operation.”

Johnson’s challenge starts with the Patriots’ sixth-ranked defense.

“They’re a really talented group up front,” he said. “On the inside, in particular, they’re very difficult to move.”

Here are five things to watch Thursday.

1. Kevin Byard III’s return

Johnson is impressed with what he has seen from a familiar name.

“I love Kevin Byard and what he brings to the table,” Johnson said of the Patriots safety, who played for the Bears the last two seasons. “You can tell he really fits their defense well in terms of the communication and what they’re asking them to do.”

Byard led the NFL in 2025 with seven interceptions, and he also led the Bears locker room as a captain.

“KB’s my dog, it’s going to be good seeing him,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “He’s going to have the … red (sleeves) instead of the orange.”

Byard was listed as questionable with a chest injury Wednesday, although he was a full participant in practice Tuesday.

As for who’s filling Byard’s leadership role on the Bears, Jaylon Johnson said: “We all (are) leading out here. We’re all trying to figure out our own ways to lead, make sure the team is where it needs to be.”

Safety Elijah Hicks agreed: “You definitely see it coming from the secondary. You have guys like (Jaylon Johnson), who’s been here for a while, guys like me who’ve been here for a while and have a relationship with everybody.

“Cam (Lewis), he’s a vet in this game. … Even a young guy like (rookie safety Dillon Thieneman), he’s speaking up when he sees something. So this is like that overall group thing.”

2. Keep an eye on … The Patriots offensive line

The Patriots have had a hard row to hoe with injuries, particularly on the offensive front.

“Just how it goes,” Vrabel said.

Three players are on injured reserve (guards Greg Van Roten and Mike Onwenu and tackle Marcus Bryant), and three current starters — right tackle Morgan Moses, right guard Ben Brown and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker — left the Week 6 win over the New York Jets and popped up on the Week 7 injury report.

Vrabel on Wednesday ruled out Vera-Tucker (hamstring) and Brown (knee), both of whom didn’t practice Tuesday. Moses (foot) was limited Tuesday and is listed as questionable. He may be a game-time decision.

Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse will start at guard, while Bryant could be activated from IR.

“As bad as it is and as unfortunate as it is, it’s just the way this game goes,” said left tackle Will Campbell, who practiced Tuesday despite a knee injury. “Coach Vrabel talks each week about preparing as a starter. Guys never know what could happen in a game, and you have to be ready whenever you get your opportunity. Some guys stepped up big for us today.”

Caleb Lomu, the No. 28 pick in this year’s draft, was one of those players. He replaced Moses.

“You never want to see that,” Lomu said of the injuries. “It’s terrible to see. It does happen, unfortunately, in this league. Everyone’s got to prepare like a starter.”

3. Player in the spotlight

Patriots WR A.J. Brown

The last time the Bears saw Brown, they saw a lot of Brown running all over the field.

As a Philadelphia Eagle last season, he hauled in 10 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns during the Bears’ 24-15 win on Nov. 28 at Lincoln Financial Field.

“Yeah, we faced him before,” Bears nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon said Tuesday. “Bigger body, strong dude. So just knowing our matchup and just handling him.”

Brown has been limited to two games this season by a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve. He returned Sunday against the New York Jets and posted three receptions for 27 yards in 10 targets.

“I didn’t play well,” Brown said after the game. “I don’t know if the timing was off.”

Brown showed up on Monday’s and Tuesday’s injury reports with an ankle injury, but he did not receive a game designation Wednesday, meaning he should be good to go.

“I’m a big fan of A.J. personally,” Jaylon Johnson said. “He’s one of the best in the league, so hopefully he gets healthy and he can be out there and we can compete.”

4. What’s going on with D’Andre Swift in the second half?

With Kyle Monangai sidelined by a toe injury, the Bears leaned on Swift in the first half Sunday to power their running game. He had 12 carries (to backup Roschon Johnson’s four) and four receptions in five targets.

In the second half, Swift had just four carries and no targets in the passing game.

In second halves this season, Swift has averaged more yards per carry (4.8 versus 3.9) and nearly double the yards per reception (12.3 versus 6.5) but with significantly less usage.

He has had 33 second-half carries versus 61 in the first half and just four second-half catches (in seven targets) to 14 in the first half (in 15 targets).

So what gives?

“A little bit is (about health),” offensive coordinator Press Taylor said. “There’s a mindfulness to preserve him a little bit. It’s a long season. Just being aware of D’Andre and how invaluable he is for us throughout the course of the season.”

5. Injury updates

After starting the week listed as an estimated nonparticipant Monday, Bears right guard Jonah Jackson (hip/quadriceps) was upgraded each of the next two days and was a full participant in Wednesday’s walk-through. He carries no injury designation for Thursday’s game.

Jackson left Sunday’s game in Atlanta in the third quarter and was replaced by Luke Newman.

Running back Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (concussion) missed all three days and have been ruled out. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) was upgraded to limited Wednesday but is doubtful for the game.

Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson Sr. (hip) was a full participant for a third straight day and is questionable. Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (quadriceps) also was a full participant and carries no designation.

On the Patriots side, in addition to Brown and Vera-Tucker, starting cornerback Carlton Davis III (neck) and reserve cornerbacks Channing Canada (hamstring) and Karon Prunty (hamstring) were ruled out.

Along with Byard and Moses, strong safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and linebacker Christian Elliss (chest) are questionable. All four are starters.

These players carry no injury designation and should be a full go: Brown, Campbell, quarterback Drake Maye (right shoulder), running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle), defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (personal), linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and kicker Andy Borregales (personal).

Predictions

Brad Biggs (3-3)

The Patriots would be in a challenging spot with their injury report in a normal week. Having to travel to play on a Thursday makes it even more daunting when they’re short-handed on the offensive line and at wide receiver. Changing parts at receiver contributed to some of Drake Maye’s struggles in the first few games. Maye has been on a heater the last three weeks. The Bears defense has plenty of issues, but Dennis Allen’s variety of calls and pressures can be a lot to handle, especially on a short week. Caleb Williams came out on fire last week, so this is an advantageous spot for the Bears.

Bears 27, Patriots 20

Sean Hammond (2-4)

The Patriots defense should challenge the Bears offense more than the Falcons did last week. I wouldn’t expect Caleb Williams to complete 80% again. But when Williams has played this season, the offense has looked efficient and explosive. With perfect weather forecast for Thursday night, I see no reason the passing attack shouldn’t continue to click. Much like with Bijan Robinson last week, perhaps the best way to keep Drake Maye from beating you is not to let him have the ball very much.

Bears 27, Patriots 23

Phil Thompson (3-3)

When I first saw the Bears schedule, I marked this as a Patriots win. Now I’m not so sure. Drake Maye has been a little Jekyll and Hyde. After leading the league last season with a 72% completion percentage, he’s at a career-low 63.9% and completed just 56.3% against the New York Jets in Week 6, though he threw for three touchdowns. The injury issues on the New England offensive line also don’t inspire confidence.

Bears 27, Patriots 24

plthompson@chicagotribune.com