Kickoff: The Patriots set their sights on a crucial matchup as they square off against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. The Patriots have won three in a row but are coming off of a lackluster win against the Jets. Chicago got Caleb Williams back last week and is coming off of a win in Atlanta. It will be a back and forth match up featuring two of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2024.

Here are four keys to the game for the Patriots.

1st Down: Protect the offensive line by running the ball: Establishing a balanced and productive run game on early downs is non-negotiable for New England. By relying on heavy doses of Rhamondre Stevenson and the backfield to stay ahead of the chains, the offense can take significant pressure off the pass-blocking unit. Committing to the ground attack stays clear of obvious passing downs, slows down Chicago’s pass rush, and sets up manageable second- and third-down opportunities.

2nd Down: Drake Maye has to continue to make good decisions: Second down is often the tipping point of a drive. Drake Maye must maintain his composure, read line-of-scrimmage post-snap disguises accurately, and avoid forcing low-percentage throws into tight coverage. Taking high-efficiency checkdowns, utilizing his legs when pockets collapse, and avoiding costly turnovers will keep the offense fluid and force the Bears defense to cover every inch of the field.

3rd Down: Keep Caleb Williams in the pocket: Caleb Williams is at his most lethal when plays break down and he escapes into space. On third down, the Patriots must be disciplined in their rush lanes and avoid over-pursuing. Collapsing the pocket from the inside out while containing the perimeter forces Williams to deliver from a tight structure rather than creating off-script game-breaking plays.

4th Down: Depth guys must step up: The Patriots are coming into this game banged up and they will need their depth pieces to step up. With several key starters out, the Patriots will be leaning on their diminishing depth.

Extra Points: The Patriots hold an 11-5 overall record against the Chicago Bears across 16 total meetings (including Super Bowl XX). New England has won five of the last six matchups in the series, including a commanding 19-3 victory at Soldier Field in their previous meeting.

Final Drive: If the Patriots can win the line of scrimmage early, manage the clock behind a balanced offensive attack, and force Chicago into long-yardage passing situations, they will be in prime position to take control of this game. Success in all four downs will ultimately dictate whether New England flies home with a victory or leaves Chicago looking for answers.