The Chicago Bears wanted to re-establish themselves in Atlanta last week as QB Caleb Williams returned to action. The team wanted to bounce back after a brutal 31-7 loss to Green Bay in Week 5. They did just that with an impressive 31-23 victory over the Falcons.
The New England Patriots started slowly this year with two losses in their first three games, but they have since won three games in a row and look razor sharp. Much of this is on QB Drake Maye, who is once again playing like an MVP candidate.
Williams and Maye were the first and third picks, respectively, in the 2024 NFL Draft. As the years go by, that selection meeting will be known as one of the most notable QB drafts in NFL history, as six signal callers were selected in the first round. The two headliners of that group are Williams and Maye, and this game marks their first meeting since Roger Goodell called their names. Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders was the No. 2 pick in that draft.
Heisman Trophy winner has excelled
Williams was the top pick based on the Heisman Trophy he won at USC, and he was viewed as having sensational tools. Arm strength, quick release, excellent field vision and big-play ability. He was also thought of as a good runner with the ability to escape pressure, but not elite in that area.
That assessment was wrong. Williams became a must-watch quarterback last year because of his ability to get away from pressure and make game-changing plays.
Maye is also a brilliant athlete who came into his own during his second year and he led the Patriots to the AFC East title, the AFC championship and a spot in the Super Bowl. This game offers the epic excitement of two quarterbacks who may be at the top of the rankings for many seasons.
Williams will throw for 250 yards and 2 TDs
After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, Williams returned to action in Week 5 against the Falcons. There were significant questions about the severity of the injury and whether he would be able to escape pressure and make plays with his feet.
Williams came out of the gate firing strikes and he completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions. He was sharp, accurate, confident and moved quite well.
The Bears responded to his presence with an excellent effort, and that bodes well for Thursday night's game against the Patriots.
Williams will be looking to launch the offense with WRs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden and tight end Colston Loveland. Burden and Loveland were two of Williams' favorite receivers last year, and they will be very difficult for the Patriots' secondary to slow down.
The Patriots have the 5th-best scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game, and cornerback Christian Gonzalez is one of the best cover men in the NFL.
Maye will be razor sharp and toss 3 TD passes
The Patriots were struggling early in the year and it looked like last year's surprising year might have been a fluke. However, head coach Mike Vrabel has somehow managed to get this team back on track.
It started in Week 3, as the Patriots went on the road and upset the Buffalo Bills, their primary competition in the AFC East. Winning in Buffalo had been one of their jumping-off points a year ago, and it appears to have had a similar impact this year. After gaining a 29-26 victory at Highmark Stadium, the Pats rolled over the Las Vegas Raiders and also disposed of the New York Jets.
Article Continues BelowMaye is coming off a strong game in which he threw for 235 yards and had 3 TD passes. After struggling with turnovers in the first three games of the year, Maye has had 10-1 TD-interception ratio in his last three games. He did not throw any interceptions against the Raiders or Jets.
If the Bears can't put significant pressure on Maye, he should have a big day throwing to Demario Douglas and Romeo Doubs as well as tight end Hunter Henry. A.J. Brown is supposed to be the New England gamebreaker, but he did not look good against the Jets.
Patriots will outlast Bears
This game has a chance to be one of the most entertaining games of the first half of the season. In addition to the drama of the No. 1 pick in '24 facing off against the No. 3 pick, both of these teams have championship aspirations.
The Patriots appear much closer to getting there because they are stronger and more consistent on defense. The Bears were moderately effective in that area against the Falcons, but they had been torn apart by the Green Bay deep passing game the week before.
Maye is likely to attack deep as well and he should have enough success in that area to secure a key win for the visitors.