Bears vs. Patriots will be decided by these 3 questions

Can the Patriots hold serve at home against the fading Bears?

Oct 26, 2014, 12:20 PM UTC

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears can’t seem to win at home, so a trip to Foxborough to face the surging New England Patriots might not be a bad thing after all. After losing to the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, Chicago dropped to 0-3 at home this year, but the team is 3-1 on the road.

Though the Bears have played better on the road, they'll be facing a Patriots squad that is undefeated at home this year with a 3-0 mark at Gillette Stadium. New England has been off since pulling out a 27-25 win over the New York Jets on Oct. 16, so the Patriots come into this game well-rested.

The Bears desperately need this win to keep within striking distance of the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers atop the NFC North, but getting a win vs. the Patriots will be a tall task. On the other side, the Patriots are sitting a game ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. They're also just one game behind the Denver Broncos for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.

Here’s the three questions that will ultimately determine who’s able to come out of Foxborough with a hard-fought win.

1. Who will step up in the Pats’ backfield?

Perhaps no coach in the league is better than Bill Belichick at refurbishing a backfield from spare parts. From Laurence Maroney to BenJarvus Green-Ellis to LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots have used unheralded running backs and committee backfield for years now. With the possibility that both of his top rushers will be sidelined against an improved Bears run defense, Belichick will need to keep the magic going Sunday.

Stevan Ridley is already gone for the year and now Shane Vereen is questionable with an illness. Assuming that Vereen is at least limited, Belichick must construct a ground attack using lightly-used veteran Brandon Bolden, second-year pro Jonas Gray and rookie James White. Those three have combined for just 21 carries this season, with 15 of them coming from Bolden.

A season removed from being the league's worst run defense, the Bears, bolstered by the arrival of Lamarr Houston, currently rank in the top 15 in rushing yards allowed per game. Tom Brady is more than capable of carrying the offense if the run game falters, but New England would prefer to avoid that.

2. Can Brandon Marshall get open against Darrelle Revis?

A frustrated Brandon Marshall drew headlines after Chicago's loss to the Dolphins, admonishing reporters and reportedly calling out Jay Cutler in the locker room. Marshall hasn't been as involved as he wants during the Bears' last three losses, averaging 37 yards and less than four receptions in that span.

Considering his history against Revis, it’s possible that frustration could continue through the weekend. In four career matchups against the star cornerback, Marshall has just nine receptions on 23 targets for 112 yards and no touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Revis, meanwhile, has an interception, seven pass deflections and has held quarterbacks to a 36.9 passer rating while throwing to Marshall.

With Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett also on the field, the Pats can't afford to roll too much coverage Marshall's way, making it imperative that Revis put him on an island.

3. Can the Bears get Matt Forte going on the ground?

As of right now, Bears Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte is on pace to rush for just 1,024 yards this season after rushing for 1,339 a season ago. Chicago has been unable to get Forte in any rhythm thus far, and he's just rushed for more than 100 yards just once this year. He's also totaled just 190 rushing yards during the past three games, an average of just over 63 yards per content.

Forte is one of the league’s best backs, and his ability to churn out yards on the ground will help Chicago win the time of possession battle with New England while keeping Brady and the Pats offense off the field.

The Bears have to get Forte going on the ground this week if they hope to win against New England.