Three keys for the Bears vs. Patriots

Three keys for the Bears to win Sunday’s home game against the 2-7 Patriots:

Stop the run

The Bears are coming off their worst game against the run in the last two years. They allowed 213 rushing yards to the Cardinals — 45 more than at any other point since the start of the 2023 season. The second-most rushing yards they’ve given up? The week before against the Commanders.

Losing nose tackle Andrew Billings to a season-ending pec injury adds a whole new set of problems.

Take a lead

The Bears have led for just 25 seconds over the past two games — the final seconds before they gave up a Hail Mary to the Commanders to lose. That’s what happens when you’re the worst first-quarter team in America. No NFL team has fewer yards, touchdowns, first downs or yards per attempt than the Bears do in the first frame.

The Bears need to start hot. Or at least not ice cold.

A rude rookie welcome

The last time the Bears played a rookie quarterback, they held Jayden Daniels to 12 points —until he threw a 52-yard Hail Mary to win the game. They need to treat Patriots quarterback Drake Maye even more harshly Sunday. The No. 3 overall pick is 1-3 as a starter, completing 82-of-125 passes for 770 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions and an 85.1 passer rating.