(670 The Score) The Bears (4-4) are looking to get back in the win column Sunday, when they host the Patriots (2-7) at noon CT at Soldier Field.
Here are three storylines to follow in the matchup.
Flip the script
What would a win Sunday mean for the struggling Bears?
“We need a win bad, for sure,” safety Kevin Byard said. “But a win would be another step in the right direction.”
The Bears wouldn’t entirely bury the disappointment of consecutive losses or solve their problems with a win Sunday, but a victory would go a long way to reducing the troubled feelings inside Halas Hall.
For now, the Bears are a team mired in turmoil. Their heartbreaking loss to the Commanders on a last-second Hail Mary on Oct. 27 seems to have lingered, as it was followed by an ugly 29-9 loss to the Cardinals this past Sunday.
As they reconvened last week, the Bears struggled to accept accountability for the breakdowns in their loss to the Commanders. The poor performance against the Cardinals further illustrated the issues inside Halas Hall.
The Bears made progress in the previous two seasons by trusting head coach Matt Eberflus’ plan, but he could now be in danger of losing the team's collective investment. That's why the game Sunday against the Patriots is so important. Chicago will welcome one of the worst teams in the league to town in a game that the Bears should win.
If the Bears take care of business, they can feel better about themselves before turning the page to a key stretch of divisional games. On the flip side, a loss would bring them to the brink of disaster.
Williams, offense seeking solutions
The Bears' offense has largely sputtered in eight games this season.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, hasn't thrived as the Bears envisioned.
The Bears rank 18th in scoring and 29th in total offense through Week 9. The 22-year-old Williams has averaged just 208.1 passing yards per game to go with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
Williams took blame for his part in the Bears’ shaky offense.
“I’m not as solid as I’ve been, not as solid as I pride myself on,” Williams said. “And definitely going to get there, we’re going to get there, I’m going to get there. But I think it starts with me, and then it boils down from there.”
The Bears will have the chance to break through offensively Sunday as they face a Patriots defense that ranks among the worst in the NFL.
The Patriots rank 25th in the NFL in total defense and have surrendered 30 or more points three times in their past six games.
This is a potential get-right game for the Bears. While there are greater big-picture questions for Chicago’s offense, a strong effort Sunday could be a catalyst for growth.
Next man up on defense?
The Bears had allowed 21 points or fewer in 13 straight games before their 29-9 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. It had been the longest streak in the NFL.
Injuries were a significant part of the Bears’ defensive struggles Sunday. Chicago played without star pass rusher Montez Sweat, nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker, then lost standout nose tackle Andrew Billings during the game.
Billings suffered a torn pectoral and will soon undergo surgery, which is expected to end his season. It’s a major loss for the Bears’ defensive identity.
Fortunately for the Bears, they're likely to regain Sweat (shin) and Gordon (hamstring) on Sunday. Meanwhile, Brisker remains in the concussion protocol and hasn't played since Oct. 6.
With a couple key players returning, the Bears defense should be closer to full strength while facing a Patriots offense that ranks last in the NFL in yards per game.
This is a bounce-back opportunity for the Bears.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.