Advertisement

Bears vs Patriots: Reasons for optimism in Week 10 matchup

Another week, another sliver of hope that the Chicago Bears can turn their season around before it is too late. After taking a three-game winning streak into their bye week riding with tons of momentum, the Bears have crashed and fell flat on their faces during their current two-game losing streak.

Back home at Soldier Field to take on the struggling New England Patriots could be just what's needed to get them back on track, but it doesn't feel as if it'll come easy as expected earlier this year. Just like the Bears, the Patriots are rebuilding with a rookie quarterback but have yet to surround him with viable playmakers or a defense that could hold the team together.

For those reasons, the Bears should feel good about their chances in this matchup of rookie quarterbacks, and here are three big reasons for optimism heading into Week 10.

1. Caleb Williams' resiliency and accountability

No matter the outside noise surround the Bears right now, a lot of it is seeing fingers pointed at coaching, which is certainly been a major factor. However, week in and week out, Caleb Williams is not making excuses. That should offer plenty of optimism for this offense, as he is showing that while his play may not be there yet, he is handling adversity in the NFL like a true veteran and not a rookie.

It would be easy for Williams to give up on himself, point fingers at his weak offensive line play, blame others, or put it on the coaches, yet he hasn't. He's taken it all upon himself and it's clear each week that he wants to get better, he wants to win games, and he wants to be the long-term franchise quarterback of the Bears.

Williams has got the weapons around him and with a defense that will offer plenty of opportunities in the Patriots. Williams and his plethora of weapons could, and should, get the job done.

Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

2. Patriots' defense

Currently ranked 24th in total defense, 22nd in passing defense, 26th in rushing defense, and 21st in scoring defense, the Patriots have all sorts of problem on that side of the ball. In all of their four wins this season, the Bears have put up a minimum of 24 points against opponents, and the Patriots defense provides plenty of opportunity for them to keep that trend going.

Their top defender is cornerback Christian Gonzalez, only in his second season, so there's hope that the Bears veteran offensive playmakers can take advantage of their defense. They're also very susceptible to the run, and it could be a green light to getting D'Andre Swift back involved, as he seems to be the gas the offense needs to get going.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears looks on in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears looks on in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

3. Matt Eberflus' future

There are several reports flying around the team this week in regards to the future of head coach Matt Eberflus. Many fans have called for the team to aggressively pursue Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but other reports this week suggested the Bears are locked into Eberflus for at least through the 2025 season.

Contracts are one thing, but coming up short with expectations is something that shouldn't fly for general manager Ryan Poles and president Kevin Warren, the decision makers of this franchise. If Eberflus loses to a lowly Patriots team, there is plenty of reason to consider the Bears do something that they've never done before, fire a coach in the middle of the season.

Eberflus surely doesn't want that, it's also highly unlikely that the leadership wants to put Caleb Williams in a reset with new coaches, but there is a level of expectations that need to be met. Not every game should be considered a must-win, but for the future of Eberflus, it's about as close as it could get.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs Patriots: Reasons for optimism in Week 10 matchup