The unique aspect of the Bears’ schedule this year is how their home schedule has not only been filled with weaker teams outside the division, but also opponents they match up well.

The Bears definitely have to worry about Drake Maye because the Patriots quarterback is gifted with a big arm, is a bigger player who can move, and has done both so far.

“His two-minute operation has been good,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s done a very good job with that.

“He’s used his legs when appropriate. He had a lot of yards last week.”

However, he has been prone to missed throws and interceptions, six of them in four starts.

“He’s a young player like a lot of the young quarterbacks playing in the league this year,” Eberflus said. “There are many of them recruited.

“And again, you’re learning as you go there. But it’s impressive.”

Facing the Bears’ secondary in Chicago is not the easiest task.

The Bears have won nine in a row as a home team, eight at Soldier Field, and weaker perimeter defenses struggle with the Bears’ offense. The Bears are stronger attacking the middle of the field in their passing game and a weaker team on the perimeter is causing problems from all directions.

Here are the Bears best positioned to cause problems for New England.

1. RB D’André Swift

Swift’s ability to work in the short passing game for screens or coming out of the backfield has been solid all year and when the Bears’ offense looked better against the Jaguars, Panthers and Rams, he was doing damage this way. The Patriots’ pass defense hasn’t been their biggest weakness, but they are at their worst covering shorter passes. In Swift’s case, he will be doubly dangerous for New England because he runs better to the outside and New England ranks 20th in stopping runs on the left end (6.42 yards per carry) and 24th in stopping runs on the right end. (6.15 ypc).

BEARS COULD FACE YANNICK NGAKOUE ON SUNDAY

2. Kevin Byard

His ballhawk could come into play against a rookie quarterback with a big arm, who has thrown four interceptions in four starts. More than that, New England’s receiving corps is at its worst against zone coverage with the exception of Demario Douglas, who catches passes underneath the zones. Ja’Lynn Polk and Kayshon Boutte have plenty of speed, but they won’t try to overtake man coverage much. If they challenge the Bears deep, Byard will rank eighth against the pass. Focus on professional football and ninth overall. Stathead/Pro Football Reference tracks Byard with 56% completions allowed when targeted (14 of 25), the third-lowest percentage of his career and best since 2021.

3. LB Tremaine Edmunds

Young quarterbacks have the worst tendency to hold the ball too long and throw deeper up the middle when they do. Most have never played against a coverage linebacker who is 6-foot-5 and has an arm length and wingspan in the top 3% of all linebackers ever measured at the combine.

If Maye makes the mistake of throwing into zone coverage and thinking it’s over Edmunds’ head, it could be intercepted or tipped over for someone else to catch. Edmunds started well this season, but has fallen down PFF’s grade lists, like TJ Edwards. This is the type of team Edmunds should thrive against.

BEARS FORCED TO SWEAT NOW IN NFC NORTH RACE

BEARS FORCED TO SWEAT NOW IN NFC NORTH RACE

THE BEARS’ OFFENSIVE TREND INDICATES IT’S TIME TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT

THE BEARS LEAN ON A VERY RENEWED OFFENSIVE LINE AGAINST THE PATRIOTS

4. TE Cole Kmet

Make sure the Bears have been repeating passes with Kmet designed to be the primary target this week. They can’t go another week without him being targeted after being on pace for arguably his best season in his sixth game. The Patriots’ struggles with pass defense on shorter routes, especially in the middle of the field, can make it easier for Kmet to inflict damage. Classically, New England had played primarily man-to-man, but plays more two-deep safety coverage than in the past. This is another reason why the tight end or tight ends (referring to Gerald Everett here) could hurt New England. The Jets hit them with seven passes to tight ends for 108 yards in one game and in both games together former Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin made eight catches. Greg Kittle led the 49ers in receptions in their win over the Patriots.

5. DE Montez Sweat

He’s back. The Bears defense looked lost without Sweat. When they were without Sweat or Andrew Billings after their injury last week, they were truly lost up front. New England will throw a lot of shorter, timed passes and Sweat can’t pull it off, but he’s also one of the Bears’ best defenders and leads the team in tackles for loss with five. Patriots third-year tackle Vederian Lowe of Illinois is ranked 55th out of 76 tackles by PFF and the Bears may want to take advantage of this matchup by moving Sweat to his side.

6. Slot CB Kyler Gordon

Another reason the Bears had trouble stopping the run last week was Gordon’s absence, but like Sweat, he’s back. He’s been a wild card for the Bears on defense with some tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and pass defense, in addition to his coverage. The Bears like to use him on slot blitzes or even running blitzes. Gordon is rated as the 10th best cornerback or slot cornerback in run defense by PFF. His play near the line was one of the reasons the Bears were able to stop Jacksonville’s one-two punch in the run game early, before his hamstring injury.

7. WR Keenan Allen

Allen’s ability to catch passes over the middle should work well with the Patriots defense vulnerable through the air in this area of ​​the field. Marcus Jones is the Patriots cornerback and has tremendous speed. He’s been a real threat on special teams, but in coverage he’s six inches shorter than Allen at 5-8 and if he moves to cover Kmet he’s 10 inches shorter. In Allen’s case, a six-inch lead is all he needs to contort his body and make a critical catch.

8. G Teven Jenkins

The Bears love to take out their guards when running a wide zone blocking scheme. The Patriots’ vulnerability so far on the perimeter can turn a mobile guard into a threat either in the running game on stretch plays or on screens to wide receivers or even backs. Jenkins battled his way through a knee injury last week and appears ready to go as his name was removed from the injury report.

9. Quarterback Caleb Williams

He’s at home, where he has a 105.1 passer rating, 67.3% completion rate, seven of his nine touchdown passes and just one of his five interceptions. Home Sweet Home. If Williams is looking for controls, this is a team that can burn.

Twitter: BearsOnSI