New England Patriots at Chicago Bears | Week 7 | Thursday Night Football | October 22, 2026 | 7:15 PM CT / 8:15 PM ET | Soldier Field, Chicago | Prime Video, FOX 32 (Chicago)
I picked the Bears to win in Atlanta, 27-24. They won 31-23, and Caleb Williams is a big reason I’m in a better mood than I was last Sunday. After a 31-7 disaster at Lambeau, the Bears are 4-2 again, and now a 4-2 Patriots team comes to Soldier Field on a short week.
Williams completed his first 12 passes after missing three games. This is the first real test of whether that was a good day or the new normal.
Game Info: Patriots at Bears
- Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:15 PM CT / 8:15 PM ET
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
- TV: Prime Video nationally (Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung), FOX 32 in Chicago
- Radio: ESPN Chicago (1000 AM, 100.3 FM HD2) with Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer and Jason McKie
- Records: Bears 4-2; Patriots 4-2
- Odds: Bears -2.5 (-115) on the spread, with moneylines of Bears -148 and Patriots +124. The total is 49.5 (DraftKings, via SI). The Tribune’s preview forecasts ideal weather
Note on kickoff time: one preview lists “7:15 p.m. ET,” but the Bears’ official page says 7:15 p.m. CT and SI says 8:15 p.m. ET, which is the same time.
What Happened in Atlanta
Williams finished 30-of-36 for 305 yards and a touchdown, a 14-yard score to Colston Loveland on the opening drive. D’Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns. The Bears led 31-7 before Atlanta scored late.
Kyler Gordon was the surprise. In his first game back from a calf injury, he had three sacks and two forced fumbles, including the strip of Michael Penix Jr. that set up the final possession. Bijan Robinson had nine carries for 61 yards because Chicago’s fast start took the Falcons out of their run game.
The ugly part: 12 penalties for 133 yards, and receiver Jahdae Walker was ejected in the fourth quarter for a personal foul. Against a good team on a short week, that doesn’t work.
The Bears’ Injury Report
- Out: RB Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) and LB Jack Sanborn (concussion).
- Doubtful: LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring).
- Upgraded: Jonah Jackson (hip/quad) was limited on Wednesday after being in doubt in Atlanta. Tyrique Stevenson (hip) and Keyshaun Elliott (quad) were full participants.
- Concussion check: Cam Lewis was evaluated in Atlanta. I didn’t see him on the Wednesday report.
The linebacker group is thin again, and with Swift as the lead back, we’re back to watching ball security.
The Patriots: Maye Is Rolling, the Offensive Line Is Banged Up
New England beat the Jets 26-19 last week. Drake Maye is 21-14 as a starter with 57 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in his career. This season he is completing under 64% of his passes, a career low, though SI described him as an MVP candidate over the last three weeks. He has also struggled with turnovers.
- Offensive line: Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring) and Ben Brown (knee) didn’t practice on Tuesday. Morgan Moses (foot) was limited. The Tribune said several injuries have forced new starters into the lineup.
- Receivers: A.J. Brown (ankle) has played only two games this season after a high ankle sprain and practiced fully on Wednesday. Romeo Doubs was listed as questionable in one report.
- Secondary: Carlton Davis III (neck) was limited. Kevin Byard III, the former Bears safety who led the league with seven interceptions in 2025, was questionable with a chest injury but practiced fully.
- Maye’s shoulder: He’s on the report for a right shoulder issue but was a full participant.
The Patriots’ own report lists three cornerbacks under “Out” despite limited practice, so confirm statuses on Thursday.
The Matchups I’m Watching
Bears’ league-best rushing offense against New England’s defense. The Tribune lists the Patriots’ defense as sixth in the NFL. With Monangai out, Swift and whoever backs him up will need to run into a strong front.
New England’s offensive line against Gordon and the pass rush. Gordon had three sacks last week and the Patriots are starting backups. That’s the biggest edge I see for Chicago.
Gordon on A.J. Brown. The Tribune says Gordon will cover Brown. If Brown is healthy, that’s a real matchup.
Williams against Byard. Byard knows this team, and he’s the type of player who can punish a risky throw.
Penalties and turnovers. Chicago’s 12 penalties can’t happen again. Maye has been loose with the ball in 2026, and the Bears’ defense can take advantage.
What Actually Decides Thursday
Both teams are on short weeks, so the more disciplined team probably wins. SI’s pick is the Bears moneyline because of New England’s offensive line injuries, and all three Chicago Tribune writers picked the Bears. I agree, with some hesitation after what happened at Lambeau two weeks ago.
The path is clear: Williams keeps the offense on schedule, Gordon and the pass rush get to Maye behind a banged-up line, and the Bears don’t hand the Patriots free yards. If they do, Maye is good enough to punish it.
My Final Score Prediction: Chicago Bears 26, New England Patriots 23
This one we should win, let´s go Bears!
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