Keys to the Game
Patriots
- Target Bears Weak Run Defense
New England’s first order of business this week should be to establish its run game. While running back Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled to find efficiency this season, the Bears defense has also had difficulties in slowing down opposing rushing attacks. The Cardinals gashed Chicago last week on the ground, including a 53-yard rushing touchdown from Emari Demercado. They’ve allow the 4th-most yards per carry season. The strength of the secondary only further emphasizes the Patriots’ need to take advantage on the ground. Even further, the Bears will be without nose tackle Andrew Billings- an integral piece of Chicago’s run-stopping unit- due to injury.
Bears
- Get Dormant Offensive Weapons Involved
If Chicago is going to get its offense back on track, it’s going to need to start by getting back to the basics. This means increasing involvement from its star players. Tight end Cole Kmet has only seen one target in his past two games. Star wide receiver DJ Moore is disgruntled and has been speaking out on to the media after 3 consecutive games at 33 receiving yards or less. Reactivating these two players would bring consistency back into an offense that has been mightily struggling as of late.