Tale of the tape
How do the New England Patriots stack up with today's opponent, the Chicago Bears?
Seems like every week, the Patriots' opponent is battered by injuries to key players. No one is more key in Chicago than edge rusher Khalil Mack, who is battling an ankle problem. Just what Tom Brady needs against one of the five teams he's never lost to. Brady is 4-0 against the Bears; the others are Atlanta (5-0), Dallas (4-0), Minnesota (4-0) and Tampa Bay (4-0). While the Bears should be able to move the ball on New England, they'll likely need lots of points for a chance in this one. *** Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS OPENING LINE — Patriots by 3 RECORD VS. SPREAD — New England 3-3, Chicago 3-2 SERIES RECORD — Patriots lead 9-4 LAST MEETING — Patriots beat Bears 51-23, Oct. 26, 2014 LAST WEEK — Patriots beat Chiefs 43-40; Bears lost to Miami 31-28, OT AP PRO32 RANKING — Patriots No. 2, Bears No. 13 (tie) PATRIOTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (14), RUSH (11), PASS (19). PATRIOTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (20), RUSH (18), PASS (21). BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (19), RUSH (8), PASS (22). BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (10), RUSH (4), PASS (16). STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Tom Brady is 4-0 against Bears, one of five teams he has yet to lose to. Others are Atlanta (5-0), Dallas (4-0), Minnesota (4-0) and Tampa Bay (4-0). ... Brady completed 30 of 35 passes for 354 yards with five TDs and no INTs in last meeting with Bears. In four career games against Chicago he has 1,318 yards passing, 11 TDs and only three INTs. ... In his past three games, rookie RB Sony Michel has rushed for 316 yards, four TDs. ... RB James White has touchdown catch in three of his past four games. ... TE Rob Gronkowski has 381 yards receiving in his past four road games. ... LB Dont'a Hightower had 10 tackles and half-sack in last meeting with Chicago. ... Bears had three-game win streak stopped by Miami. ... Chicago remains in sole possession of NFC North lead for first time since late in 2013. ... Bears' losses are by combined four points, including 24-23 in opener at Green Bay. ... LB Khalil Mack hurt ankle early against Miami, failed to get sack, forced fumble for first time this season. ... QB Mitchell Trubisky threw for 316 yards, three TDs, one interception last week. He has 670 yards, nine TDs, one INT over past two games. ... RB Tarik Cohen had 90 yards receiving, 31 rushing last week. He's aiming for third straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. ... WR Taylor Gabriel has 214 yards receiving, two TDs in past two games. ... CB Kyle Fuller had two INTs last week. ... Fantasy tip: Gronkowski figures to be more involved this week after catching just three passes against Kansas City, though he did have 97 yards. Bears don't have height in the secondary to handle 6-foot-6 Gronkowski. INJURY REPORT — PATRIOTS: OUT: T Marcus Cannon (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: DT Malcom Brown (knee), WR Julian Edelman (heel), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle, back), TE Jacob Hollister (hamstring), RB Sony Michel (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin), DE John Simon (shoulder), DE Deatrich Wise (ankle, knee). DNP: T Marcus Cannon (concussion). LIMITED: DT Malcom Brown (knee), WR Julian Edelman (heel), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle, back), TE Jacob Hollister (hamstring), RB Sony Michel (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin), DE John Simon (shoulder), DE Deatrich Wise (ankle, knee). BEARS: DOUBTFUL: CB Marcus Cooper (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: CB Bryce Callahan (ankle), LB Khalil Mack (ankle), WR Allen Robinson (groin). DNP: CB Bryce Callahan (ankle), G Kyle Long (not injury related). LIMITED: CB Marcus Cooper (hamstring), LB Khalil Mack (ankle), WR Allen Robinson (groin). FULL: CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring), G Eric Kush (neck).