Patriots, Bears quarterbacks are no strangers to each other

Patriots Face Bears in a QB Duel of the Year‑Class Drafts

Soldier Field, Chicago – Thursday night at 8:15 p.m., Prime Video

The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears will battle under the lights at Soldier Field on Thursday night, but the game is expected to hinge on a showdown between two of the NFL’s most intriguing 2024 draft‑class quarterbacks: 24‑year‑old Drake Maye for the Patriots and 25‑year‑old Caleb Williams for the Bears.

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick, has quickly emerged as a dual‑threat weapon. “It’s a dangerous combination… an elite deep‑ball thrower… and he can crush you with his legs,” said Bears coach Ben Johnson. The Patriots’ rookie has completed 64.1 % of his passes for 878 yards and 10 touchdowns in a three‑game winning streak, while throwing just one interception. He could be the first Patriots quarterback since Tom Brady in 2014 to toss at least three touchdowns in four consecutive games.

Williams, who will turn 25 on November 18, missed three games after a right hamstring injury but returned with a strong performance against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown in a 31‑23 victory. “He’s special in the way he can move and kind of escape and evade pressure,” Williams said. “Throwing on the run is pretty cool to watch.”

Both quarterbacks share a big right arm, but their mobility sets them apart. Patriots defensive coordinator Dennis Allen noted Maye’s footwork: “Drake Maye does an outstanding job with his feet… when there’s pressure he makes people miss and creates plays down the field.”

The rivalry was added to their personal history; Williams and Maye grew up attending the same football camps and have known each other for years. “Caleb versus Drake… same draft class… two phenomenal quarterbacks,” safety Kevin Byard remarked. “It’s going to be a 60‑minute mental fight on both sides of the ball.”

The Patriots enter the game 4‑2, the Bears 4‑2. New England is the favorite, with the league’s odds at a 3‑point spread. The two teams have split their recent meetings, but the Patriots hold the series advantage 11‑5, including postseason play. The last time they met on the field was a 19‑3 Patriots win in Chicago on November 10, 2024.

Key Matchup to Watch

A.J. Brown, the Patriots’ new wide‑receiver after a June trade from the Eagles, will face Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Brown’s recent return from a high‑ankle sprain saw him targeted 10 times but only make three catches for 27 yards. Johnson has held the Falcons to 257 yards over the past two games, making the contest between the two a focal point of the matchup.

Other storylines include:

• New England’s defense has gone a whole season without allowing a sack in a Week 6 victory over the Jets, a testament to the offensive line’s protection.
• Hunter Henry’s 28 touchdown receptions rank third in Patriots history, tying him with Russ Francis.
• The Bears’ ground attack is potent, averaging an NFL‑high 160.7 yards per game. Running back D’Andre Swift has scored six touchdowns in his first seven games, a pace that could see him break the franchise’s seven‑TD record for a first‑season running back.
• Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman is the only rookie defensive back in the NFL with at least 35 tackles, one interception, and one sack, making him a defensive force to watch.

As both teams seek to improve their standings in an 8‑game season, Thursday’s matchup promises high‑stakes drama. Fans can watch the game streamed on Prime Video, starting at 8:15 p.m. The question will be which rookie quarterback can dictate the tempo and whose skill set will carry their team to victory at Soldier Field.