Two of the best young quarterbacks in football will face off Sunday in Chicago.

Maybe you’ve heard of them.

Bears rookie Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick last April, has started every game this season. He has completed 61.4% of his passes for 1,665 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. With a 4-4 record, Chicago is squarely in the fight for the NFC playoffs.

And then there’s Drake Maye, the third pick in the draft and the biggest reason for hope for the Patriots in the midst of a difficult Year 1 of their rebuild. Maye has scored seven touchdowns, thrown four picks and led the Pats in rushing since taking over as the starter in Week 6. This week, Maye shared that he has known Williams since high school, when they often competed in quarterback camps and showcases. field.

Maye and Williams will meet for the first time as professionals at a critical point in their respective campaigns. So who will win?

Here’s what to watch on Sunday:

When the patriots run

It’s a rebooted game plan for the Patriots.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and left tackle Vederian Lowe told the Herald this week that the offense intends to return to its run-first roots after compiling just 89 rushing yards on designed runs in the last three games. The Patriots suffered a decisive loss at the line of scrimmage last week, when Stevenson finished with just 16 rushing yards and a touchdown at Tennessee. Their most effective runs this season have often been inside, where the offense should be able to attack a weakened Bears defense.

Chicago ruled out starting defensive tackle Andrew Billings with a torn pectoral muscle. That will put more pressure on athletic linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards to fly and make stops. If Mike Onwenu and the other Pats offensive linemen routinely catch up to them at the second level, that should mean big gains for Stevenson.

When the Patriots pass

When asked this week where he could improve after four starts, Maye was quick to point out his turnovers. He has thrown four interceptions and lost a fumble. Maye knows the Bears will look for more.

“They’re going to go after the ball, we preach ball security,” he said. “They play zone a lot, so I think we’re going to have to find timing and zone coverages, where we have to find open guys and have guys make yards after the catch.”

Against Chicago’s preferred zone defenses, expect Maye to attack up the middle with tight end Hunter Henry and preferred slot option DeMario Douglas. Henry has seen the 10th-most targets against the zone among all NFL pass catchers, according to Sports Info. Solutions, while Douglas is the Pats’ top receiving yardage threat. One area Maye probably won’t attack: wherever Jaylon Johnson is. The Bears’ outside corner shutdown is one of the best in the league.

When the bears run

Woo boy.

The Patriots continue to leak like a broken faucet against the run, allowing 167 last week and more than 170 per game over the past month. Next up is Bears running back D’Andre Swift, who has 505 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season.

The good news is that Chicago’s offensive line is terribly banged up, which should create opportunities to build a wall at the line of scrimmage against a handful of backups. The key will be a turnaround for defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, the Pats’ primary run stopper, who has been anything but the last two weeks.

When the bears pass by

Like the Patriots, the Bears selected a quarterback and wide receiver with their top picks last April. That rookie catcher, Rome Odunze, is now their number one option.