Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos A gathering with the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon will carry extra which means than the standard regular-season recreation for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye, chosen third total on this 12 months’s draft, is ready to go up in opposition to No. 1 total choose and fellow signal-caller Caleb Williams in a battle of buddies turned foes. The 2 turned acquainted with one another earlier than breaking into the NFL, however Maye will attempt to deal with Sunday like enterprise as typical.
“I believe each as rookies, popping out as quarterbacks, you spend a number of time with these guys. You see them, some on visits, some on the mix. Actually, with Caleb, I’ve seen him since highschool,” Maye mentioned. “We stored up with one another in school. We have been buddies, and I loved watching him do his factor.
“Now I get an opportunity to compete. So anytime you are going in opposition to a rookie quarterback in the identical class, or any quarterback in your class generally, it is a bit of further.”
Each quarterbacks have already needed to face their fair proportion of adversity, with Maye proudly owning a 1-3 file as a starter whereas Williams is 4-4.
A lot of the bother that Williams and the Bears (4-4) have run into came to visit the previous two video games. Chicago was blown out 29-9 by the Arizona Cardinals final Sunday after falling 18-15 to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 27.
A 3rd straight loss would not sit proper with Bears coach Matt Eberflus.
“Everytime you lose two in a row within the NFL, there’s at all times a heightened sense of urgency as a result of it’s important to get that win column again,” Eberflus mentioned. “That was no totally different than early within the 12 months once we misplaced a pair in a row. It is actually the identical. We now have to seek out solutions and discover options to the place we’re proper now.
“We transfer in the precise route for 3 weeks, after which the final couple, now we have to verify we discover solutions proper now shifting into this week.”
New England (2-7) practically pulled off a miracle final Sunday, forcing extra time in opposition to the Tennessee Titans when Maye escaped a number of defenders to lob a game-tying 5-yard landing cross to Rhamondre Stevenson on the ultimate play of regulation. The additional level made it 17-17.
Nevertheless, Nick People booted a 25-yard discipline objective to place Tennessee in entrance within the further session, then Maye threw a game-ending choose three performs later.
It was the third turnover of the competition for Maye, who is aware of that he must be sharper in opposition to Chicago.
“I believe the Bears’ protection, they’re at all times going to be a bodily protection,” Maye mentioned. “They’re good up entrance. They’ve some good edge guys. I really feel like each D-line has obtained some good guys on the sting. They will go after the soccer; we’re preaching ball safety.”
The Patriots might be with out security Kyle Dugger (ankle) and linebacker Christian Elliss (stomach) on Sunday. Each gamers missed observe on Wednesday, whereas defensive finish Keion White (knee) was amongst these restricted.
Six injured Bears missed observe on Wednesday, together with security Jaquan Brisker (concussion), defensive deal with Andrew Billings (pectoral) and defensive again Jaylon Jones (shoulder). Defensive finish Montez Sweat (shin) practiced in a restricted capability, as did 4 others.
–Subject Stage Media
