The Bears will look to rebound from a tough loss in Miami Sunday when they host the Patriots at Soldier Field. They're hoping for a repeat of their home opener Sept. 17 when they bounced back from a difficult defeat in Green Bay with a win over the Seahawks.
The Bears (3-2) enter Week 6 in first place in the NFC North, ahead of the Vikings (3-2-1) and Packers (3-2-1) by percentage points. Minnesota plays on the road against the Jets Sunday, while Green Bay is off this weekend. With the Lions at 2-3, the NFC North is the NFL's only division where all four teams are separated by one game.
The Bears will be challenged Sunday by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a three-time NFL MVP who has led New England to five Super Bowl championships. Brady is 4-0 all-time against the Bears and will make his final appearance at Soldier Field Sunday—unless he returns on the Patriots' next scheduled trip to Chicago in 2026 when he's 49 years old.
Offense on fire
The Bears offense enters Week 7 on a roll, having scored 10 touchdowns in its last two games after mustering four TDs in its first three contests. The unit is led by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 1,261 yards with 11 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 105.6 passer rating that ranks seventh in the NFL.
Trubisky has generated 770 yards of offense in the last two games, connecting on 41 of 57 passes for 670 yards with nine TDs, one interception and a 143.3 passer rating while also rushing for 100 yards on 11 carries.
In the last two games, running back Tarik Cohen has produced 314 all-purpose yards, including 18 rushes for 84 yards and 14 receptions for 211 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Taylor Gabriel has 12 catches for 214 yards and 2 TDs in those two contests.
Hoping to revert to form
The Bears defense will look to rebound from its worst game of the season last Sunday in Miami. Plagued by missed tackles and a non-existent pass rush, the unit allowed 541 yards and permitted points on five of the Dolphins' final seven possessions.
On the positive side, the defense generated three takeaways on two Kyle Fuller interceptions and a forced fumble by Akiem Hicks at the Bears' 1-yard line in overtime that was recovered by Eddie Goldman in the end zone for a touchback.
The Bears registered 18 sacks in their first four games but were blanked in that category by the Dolphins. The defense will need to reassert itself Sunday against Brady and the Patriots, who rank fourth in the NFL in scoring with 29.3 points per game.
Injuries to monitor
All-Pro outside linebacker Khalil Mack sustained an ankle injury against the Dolphins, but he finished the game. Cornerback Prince Amukamara exited after aggravating a hamstring injury that had forced him to miss the Buccaneers game. It will be interesting to see if either player is limited or unable to participate in practice this week.
Numbers game
The Bears enter Week 7 ranked 19th in offense in the NFL (8th rushing and 22nd passing) and 10th in defense (4th against the run and 16th versus the pass. The Patriots rank 14th in offense (11th rushing and 19th passing) and 20th in defense (tied for 18th rushing and 18th passing).
Talk football
Bears coach Matt Nagy will address the media Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Halas Hall. Trubisky will speak Wednesday, while offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor will talk Thursday.
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