Chicago Bears: Post-bye week could easily see run to 6-2

Week 7 vs. New England Patriots

Spoiler alert: I have the Bears losing this game.

So, that may have been a no-brainer if you already knew the Bears’ four games coming off their rest week. But, it’s worth talking about, because the Patriots are beatable. For what it’s worth, here is how the Bears could take advantage of New England and come away with a victory.

For starters, the Patriots are giving up the sixth-most rushing yards per game at 121.5.

Interestingly enough, the Bears rushing for … wait for it … 121.5 yards per game — good for 10th-most in the league.

This is where it starts. Using the speed of Cohen and throwing Howard out there at the same time to really try and throw off New England is going to be key. The Bears have a luxury in Cohen where they can start with him in the backfield, but move him out in some pre-snap movement if they so choose. Then, if Howard is out there as well, he can haul it forward.

The Bears’ backfield is an enormous strength for which the Patriots should not have enough answers. It all starts with the backs.

Secondly, the Bears must hit Tom Brady.

That’s it. No analysis needed. If they hit Brady, they have a chance to win the game. Period.

Third, the passing game has to get everyone involved. In New England’s two losses, they were horrific against covering running backs and tight ends.

You can make a case for how the Patriots shut down the Dolphins’ backs and tight ends. Or, you can understand that the Dolphins are just plain bad under Loggains and Gase. The offense for Miami is boring. It’s not exciting. It’s not creative. Thus, it should have gone the way it did against New England (who was coming off a loss, I might add).

The Bears’ backs and tight ends are showing versatility this year, specifically with Cohen, Howard and Burton. All three of them can line up in various spots. The Patriots will have a tough time matching up with these guys and Nagy can use that to his advantage when getting creative with the offense.

Could the Bears win this one? Of course, especially because it’s at home.