CHICAGO BEARS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL) — At the risk of being a little risqué, I’m going to write something that is going to come off as out of pocket. And it’s something that has been on my mind since Sunday. Ready? OK. Here goes nothing…
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams can start building his case for MVP with a win against the Patriots on Thursday Night Football. There. I said it. Whew. What a weight off of my shoulders!
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PREVIEW — BEARS VS. PATRIOTS
Is it bold? Yes. But hear me out. The night and day difference between what Chicago’s football team looked like with and without Williams in the lineup is something that should get the conversation started. But let the record show that it’s not just me thinking about it. ESPN’s Ben Solak shares his belief that Chicago’s QB1 will end up in the MVP discussion. However, Solak also notes that the three games Williams missed might be enough to keep him on the outside looking in.
On the one hand, I get it. But on the other hand, if Williams plays out the next 11 games like he did his last one, this is what his numbers will look like:
396/487 4,067 yards 14 touchdowns 3 interceptions 108.5 passer ratingOK, so maybe that wouldn’t be enough to generate enough votes for his MVP candidacy. But you can maybe see it if you squint.
For Williams to have a real case for MVP, I think he’ll need to throw for 4,000+ yards, finish with 30+ touchdowns, and lead the Bears to a top-two seed in the NFC. If that sounds like it’s asking a lot, it is. But I’m of the Ben Johnson mindset where the Bears head coach wouldn’t put something out there if he didn’t believe it wasn’t achievable.
For instance, Johnson has been banging the drum for Williams to hit the 70 percent completion mark since arriving in Chicago. And if you looked at the completion percentage leaderboard, you’ll see Williams at the top with a 72.5 percent completion rate. Williams is also the NFL’s leader in adjusted completion percentage. Simply put, Williams is doing the things Bears fans and critics alike were wanting to see from him going into this season. That’s awesome.
Now comes the hard part. Williams gets an opportunity to show how much he has improved in Year 3 in primetime against a top-tier defensive mind in Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel and the defending AFC champs. If he can pull it off, a seat at the table for MVP discussions isn’t the only thing we’ll be dreaming of after the game. No pressure, Caleb.
Week 7 Highlights and In-Game Updates
When cool stuff happens in the game, we’ll post it here. In the meantime, here is video of Mike Ditka from the Bears’ YouTube archives to get you geeked up for the game:
How to Watch, Listen, and Stream the Game
Chicago Bears (2026: 4-2) vs New England Patriots (2026: 4-2)
TV: FOX-32 (Locally in the Chicago and New England markets) Streaming: Prime Video (Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung, Terry McAulay)Radio: ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Jason McKie); LATINO MIX 93.5 FM (Omar Ramos)
CHECK OUT THE PODCAST: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Kickoff Time: 7:15 p.m. CTSite: Soldier Field; Chicago, ILReferee: Alan EckOdds: Bears -3, O/U 50.5 (via BetMGM)
Bears Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Caleb Williams RB – D’Andre Swift WR – Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond TE – Colston Loveland OL – Ozzy Trapilo, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell WrightDefense
DL – Austin Booker, Grady Jarrett, Kentavius Street, James Lynch LB – Devin Bush, Noah Sewell, D’Marco Jackson CB – Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson (Q), Kyker Gordon S – Cam Lewis, Dillon ThienemanSpecialists
Cairo Santos (kicker), Tory Taylor (punter, holder), Scott Daly (long snapper), Zavion Thomas, Kalif Raymond (kick and punt returner)Inactives
QB Case Keenum (Emergency QB) RB Kyle Monangai CB Nick McCloud LB T.J. Edwards LB Jack Sanborn OL Jordan McFadden DT Jayden Loving Oct 18, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) eludes the Atlanta Falcons rush during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesPatriots Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Drake Maye RB – Rhamondre Stevenson WR – A.J. Brown, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III TE – Hunter Henry OL – Will Campbell, Walter Rouse, Jared Wilson, Matt Pryor, Morgan MosesDefense
DL – Christian Barmore, Cory Durden, Milton Williams LB – Elijah Ponder, Christian Elliss, Robert Spillane, Dre’Mont Jones CB – Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones S – Kevin Byard, Craig WoodsonSpecialists
Andy Borregales (kicker), Mitch Wishnowsky (punter, holder), Julian Ashby (long snapper), Kyle Williams, Marcus Jones (kick and punt returner)Inactives
OL Ben Brown CB Carlton Davis III CB Channing Canada CB Karon Prunty DL Joshua Farmer QB Behren Morten Nov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) makes a pass during the first half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn ImagesBears vs. Patriots — Weather Report
Location: Soldier Field; Chicago, ILGame-time Temperature: 61 degrees (RealFeel: 60 degrees)Wind: NNE, 6 mph (Wind gusts up to 7 mph)
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