Tonight's matchup has massive fantasy implications for a lot of managers. Both starting quarterbacks are must-starts in most leagues. Based on FantasyPros' composite of expert rankings, two RBs are must-starts, while two or three others offer fringe streamability. At least four WRs will be in many/most starting lineups. The same goes for and possibly two TEs.
During their 18-1 Super Bowl season in 1985, long before routing the Patriots in the title game, the Bears comfortably beat them at home in Week 2. Incidentally, that game marked William "Refrigerator" Perry's first NFL tackle.
Over the next 40 years, Chicago has hosted New England six times. Their only win was in December 2000 against Drew Bledsoe, who would earn only four more starts for the Patriots before getting hurt and permanently replaced by Tom Brady.
In their most recent battle in 2024, rookie Drake Maye defeated rookie Caleb Williams. Rhamondre Stevenson and D'Andre Swift led their respective teams in carries and rushing yards, with Roschon Johnson mixing in for Chicago. DeMario Douglas led all Patriots wideouts with 50 receiving yards. Rookie Rome Odunze played 41 offensive snaps -- to this day, the second-lowest snap count of his career -- while operating behind Keenan Allen and DJ Moore.
In some ways, not much has changed. Maye and Williams -- drafted #3 and #1 overall two years ago -- are entrenched franchise quarterbacks. Stevenson is still the Pats' #1 RB despite the 2025 addition of second rounder TreVeyon Henderson. Swift is still the Bears' #1 RB, while Johnson offers deep-league appeal as the backup with Kyle Monangai still shelved.
Meanwhile, Douglas has been thrust into a prominent role with Romeo Doubs hurt, and Odunze still looks like the third wheel in Chicago's ascending passing attack.
AJ Brown is one of the wild cards: can he make good on his preseason top-10 ADP? Or are some of you anxious about rolling the dice on a relatively injury-prone 29-year-old with only 53 scoreless yards and three dropped passes on 14 targets? Odunze is another: in his past nine games since last season, he's caught 27 of 54 targets for 414 scoreless yards.
For TE-needy managers, Hunter Henry has caught a career-high 79.2% of his targets and a career-high average of 7.2 yards after the catch. He's nearly 32 years old. Sustainable, or headed toward a crash?
A lot at stake for a lot of managers, and a lot of realistic ranges of outcomes. Should be one of the more entertaining Thursday Night Football games all year.
Final score prediction: Bears win 22-16. Leave your prediction below.
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