(104.3 The Score) The Bears (4-2) will host the New England Patriots (4-2) on Thursday, with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m. from Soldier Field.
Our 104.3 The Score pregame show with Zach Zaidman, Olin Kreutz and Patrick Mannelly will begin at 6 p.m. and last until kickoff. Our postgame show will begin around 10:30 p.m., just after the final buzzer. You can listen to the pregame and postgame show on 104.3 FM, our online stream or the Audacy app. You can also watch our postgame show on our YouTube and Twitch channels.
You can check out all of The Score’s preview coverage of the Bears-Patriots matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our Score hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (4-2): Bears 30, Patriots 23
When the Bears score 30 or more with Caleb Williams, they’re tough to beat. The Patriots arrive even more banged up than the Bears, especially on the offensive line, and that’ll help Chicago create pressure on Drake Maye. Both teams look playoff-bound, but the slight edge and hidden yardage battle goes to the Bears at home.
Matt Spiegel (3-3): Bears 31, Patriots 20
The offense shines as the Bears improve to 5-2.
Chris Emma (3-3): Bears 27, Patriots 24
This should be a highly entertaining Thursday night game as Caleb Williams and the Bears outduel Drake Maye and the Patriots.
Alex Kuhn (3-3): Bears 24, Patriots 17
The Bears are banged up, but the Patriots are worse off on the health front. I think Dennis Allen confuses Drake Maye and slows down his three-game heater.
Tyler Buterbaugh (4-2): Bears 27, Patriots 21
With Caleb Williams back, this Bears offense is a well-oiled machine. I expect to see more growth from the offense Thursday and more from the passing game with the ball being fed around to the skill guys. The Patriots offense has been clicking in the last few games, but the Bears defense has been playing well since Week 1. I don't see the Patriots catching up with the Bears.
Tyler Ferengul (3-3): Bears 31, Patriots 23
The Bears offense is back with Caleb Williams at the helm. Now making his first home start since suffering his hamstring injury in Week 2, Williams will have another productive outing against a Patriots team that has played much better football the last few weeks. Drake Maye will present challenges for the Chicago defense with his mobility, but I believe the Soldier Field primetime crowd will inject a lot of energy into the Bears. In a battle of arguably the top two quarterbacks of the 2024 draft class and a pair of 4-2 teams, the Bears come out on top to improve to 5-2 on the season, with more primetime games awaiting in the coming weeks.
Clint Clouse (4-2): Bears 24, Patriots 14
The returns of Caleb Williams and Kyler Gordon were immediately felt (especially if you were Michael Penix Jr.). On a short week, the Patriots having a banged-up offensive line neutralizes the Bears having a shorthanded defensive line. I think this game will be closer than people think, but if Gordon is as effective as he was Sunday, then I think the Bears will walk out of Thursday Night Football with a win.
Grant Lieder (4-2): Patriots 17, Bears 14
With both teams dealing with injuries on a short week, I want to lean Bears. But given how good Drake Maye has been playing for the last few weeks, I’m going with the Patriots in a close one.
Jakob Stutz (3-3): Bears 32, Patriots 24
Ben Johnson is 5-1 on short rest as a head coach, so I expect the Bears to keep it rolling back at Soldier Field. Dennis Allen's defense should create pressure against a shorthanded Patriots offensive line, while the Bears offense does what it does best – control time of possession.
David Dykstra (2-4): Bears 34, Patriots 20
The Bears offense continues its productive ways, and Patriots turnovers cost them the game.
