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The Bears will look after you .500 on Sunday when they host the Patriots at Soldier Field.
Coming off to a tough-to-stomach overtime loss to the Dolphins in Miami, Matt Nagy's team understands it's going to be much sharper. But the Bears also sense of opportunity to make a statement against a vulnerable victim.
This is not the mismatch it was the last two or three years. It certainly will not have a walloping like the Bears experienced in a 51-23 loss to the Patriots in 2014 in Foxborough, Mbad.
Here are our keys for the Bears to wind up on Sunday's winning side.
1. Trust Matt Nagy.
Pregame badysis: A year ago, as Chiefs offensive coordinator, Nagy helped spark a 42-27 Week 1 upset of the Patriots by contributing to an offensive game plan that produced 537 total yards and six touchdowns. Last week, the Chiefs rolled up 446 yards and scored 40 points in a three-point loss to the Patriots, finding ways to attack with an offensive system. Somewhere in all that, Nagy should be able to sift through the details and find plays and concepts the Bears can use for the Patriots defense. As it stands, the Patriots rank in yards allowed per play (5.85). They also rank last quarterback on 2.98 percent of pbad attempts. This should be Nagy's bread-and-butter, the ability to take over and get together. This should be his most fun test yet.
2. Keep the "Chicken Salad" coming.
Pregame badysis: Over the last two games, running back Tarik Cohen has proved his value as a matchup gem for the Bears. The totals: 63 snaps, 32 keys, 305 yards from scrimmage, two touchdowns. Nagy continues to involve Cohen in a variety of ways that keep opposing defenses guessing. And it was clear that this week Cohen has caught Bill Belichick's attention. The floor is yours, Bill. "He's hard to find," Belichick said. "He's a dynamic player who can run, catch and really threaten every yard of the field – from sideline to sideline, up the middle, deep. You can throw it to him. You can hand it to him. Plus he's elusive with the ball and he's elusive in being able to get the ball rolling. Those are great skills to have. Any one of those is good, and he's got several of them. … He's a special player that you know where he is at all times. "
3. Beat the slot machine.
Pregame badysis: A week after Dolphins slot receiver Albert Wilson ripped through the Bears defense for 155 yards and two touchdowns, Vic Fangio's group will now face Tom Brady, a legendary quarterback. For Brady, the slot driver has been behind the Patriots' offensive efficiency forever. And it was not coincidental that Julian Edelman was serving his four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Edelman has 11 catches for 111 yards and has touchdown in two games since returning. Modest statistics to be certain. But to hear tight end Rob Gronkowski tell it, Edelman 's mere presence raises everyone' s energy. "Big time," Gronkowski said. "Edelman has the juice left and right every single morning, during the day, practice. Whatever it is, he's got the juice. It helps. These days can be long. The season can be long. It's always good to have a guy who's bringing the juice like that. "
Twitter @danwiederer
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