Why Dan chose the Bears: Injuries could catch up with New England. We saw in Green Bay that the Bears’ defense is susceptible to aerial attacks, but Drake Maye – while red-hot the last two and a half games – will be without his primary receiver (Romeo Doubs), and AJ Brown appears to be far from in top form after returning from injury last week. On the offensive line, the Patriots are down to their third-string right guard and their second-string left guard. Additionally, they will be without starting CB Carlton Davis III for the third straight game. The Bears will also miss much of their offense, with Kyle Monangai still sidelined, but they managed to return to their dominance in time of possession without Monangai last week against a run defense that has been stingier than Mike Vrabel’s thus far. If the ultra-efficient version of Caleb Williams reappears, Chicago will be tough to beat. New England is one of the teams good enough to do it, but since the Pats have a short week to prepare for a road game against another contender, I’ll take the home team.
Gn headline

