A gathering with the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon will carry extra that means than the everyday regular-season sport for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye, chosen third general on this yr’s draft, is about to go up towards No. 1 general decide and fellow signal-caller Caleb Williams in a battle of pals turned foes. The 2 grew to become conversant in one another earlier than breaking into the NFL, however Maye will attempt to deal with Sunday like enterprise as traditional.
“I believe each as rookies, popping out as quarterbacks, you spend lots 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 faculty. We had been pals, and I loved watching him do his factor.
“Now I get an opportunity to compete. So anytime you are going towards a rookie quarterback in the identical class, or any quarterback in your class normally, it is a little bit 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 hassle 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 all the time a heightened sense of urgency as a result of you need to get that win column again,” Eberflus mentioned. “That was no completely different than early within the yr after we misplaced a pair in a row. It is actually the identical. We’ve got to search out solutions and discover options to the place we’re proper now.
“We transfer in the suitable path for 3 weeks, after which the final couple, we’ve got to ensure we discover solutions proper now transferring into this week.”
New England (2-7) almost pulled off a miracle final Sunday, forcing additional time towards 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.
Nonetheless, Nick Folks booted a 25-yard discipline purpose to place Tennessee in entrance within the further session, then Maye threw a game-ending decide three performs later.
It was the third turnover of the competition for Maye, who is aware of that he needs to be sharper towards Chicago.
“I believe the Bears’ protection, they’re all the time 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 acquired some good guys on the sting. They’ll 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 follow on Wednesday, whereas defensive finish Keion White (knee) was amongst these restricted.
Six injured Bears missed follow on Wednesday, together with security Jaquan Brisker (concussion), defensive sort out 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
