Chicago @ New England preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 12, 2010 ) New England 36, Chicago 7

The New England Patriots overcame some early struggles to ascend to their usual position atop the AFC East and are staring at a rugged stretch that will determine just how good the team can be moving forward. The Chicago Bears, who visit the Patriots on Sunday, are heading in the other direction and are reportedly dealing with some turmoil in the locker room. The Bears are losers of three of four and are having some problems hanging onto the ball.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was responsible for a pair of turnovers in last week’s 27-14 home loss to Miami and wide receiver Brandon Marshall could be heard yelling at his teammates in the locker room after the game, with some of his comments reportedly aimed at Cutler. The players and coach Marc Trestman downplayed the incident during the week and all insist that the focus is on the trip to New England. The Patriots have won three in a row and will have had nine full days off between games after barely surviving the New York Jets at home last Thursday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Patriots -5.5. O/U: 50

ABOUT THE BEARS (3-4): Chicago was booed by the home fans during last week’s loss and got only 57 yards combined out of the receiving tandem of Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. “We're 3-4,” Marshall told reporters when asked about his locker room outburst. “We need to play better. That's unacceptable. That's unacceptable. Unacceptable. Shouldn't have lost today, shouldn't be 3-4. Offense got to play better. It's as simple as that." Cutler has thrown seven interceptions in the Bears’ four losses while throwing seven touchdown passes without a pick in Chicago’s three victories – each of which has come on the road.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (5-2): New England took a big hit in the run defense when linebacker Jerod Mayo went down for the season in Week 6 and will be weaker against the pass with top defensive end Chandler Jones reportedly set to miss four weeks due to a hip injury. The Patriots have the ability to make up the difference on the offensive side, and quarterback Tom Brady has been at his best with nine touchdowns, no interceptions and an average of 304.7 yards in the last three weeks. “I think we've done some good things the last few weeks, and we've got to continue to do those things,” Brady told reporters. “I'd say it starts with not turning the ball over, being better on third down, better in the red area, but that's got to continue.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Patriots acquired LB Akeem Ayers in a trade from the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday.

2. Chicago CB Kyle Fuller suffered a broken hand and a hip pointer last week and is questionable for Sunday.

3. New England CB Darrelle Revis was reportedly dismissed from practice on Tuesday after showing up to the facility late.

PREDICTION: Patriots 28, Bears 24