Two 4-2 teams meet under the lights when the New England Patriots visit the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football from Soldier Field. Chicago is a 3-point favorite on the spread, and the number has not budged since it opened. The total, however, has climbed a full point to 51. New England arrives on a three-game winning streak behind Drake Maye. Chicago just got Caleb Williams back from a hamstring injury, and he looked sharp in a road win at Atlanta. Below, we break down the Patriots vs. Bears spread, the moneyline and total, where the public is leaning, and the matchup most likely to decide this one.
Last Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026
New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears — Time & How to Watch/ Stream
| Where | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| When | Thursday, October 22 – 8:15 PM ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Patriots vs. Bears Betting Matchup Overview
New England has found its footing. The Patriots have won three straight, beating Buffalo, Las Vegas and the New York Jets. Sunday’s 26-19 win over the Jets moved them to 4-2, second in the AFC East behind 5-1 Buffalo. Maye threw three touchdown passes in that game before the Jets made a late push. Wide receiver A.J. Brown returned from injured reserve after a high-ankle sprain. He finished with three catches for 27 yards and three drops, so his timing is still a work in progress.
Chicago is also 4-2 and sits in a crowded NFC North chase behind unbeaten Minnesota. The headline is Williams. He missed three games with a hamstring injury, then completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown in the 31-23 win over the Falcons. He opened the game 12-for-12. D’Andre Swift added two rushing touchdowns, and defensive back Kyler Gordon recorded three sacks. For the pregame view of that matchup, see our October 18 Bears-Falcons prediction.
The injury reports lean against New England. The Patriots ruled out five players: guards Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker, plus cornerbacks Carlton Davis, Karon Prunty and Channing Canada. Safety Kevin Byard is questionable. Chicago ruled out running back Kyle Monangai and linebacker Jack Sanborn. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is doubtful, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is questionable. Right guard Jonah Jackson is set to play.
New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots | +3 (-110) | +145 | O 51 (-110) |
| Bears | -3 (-110) | -170 | U 51 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of Thursday, October 22, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NFL Odds – Futures – Props
New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Patriots | 72% | 28% | Bears |
See the latest NFL Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
What The Odds Say About New England vs. Chicago
The spread opened at Bears -3 and has stayed there at -110 on both sides. That stability matters. Three is the most important number in NFL betting, and the market has not been willing to move off it. The moneyline tells a slightly different story. Chicago opened at -165 and is now -170, with New England drifting from +140 to +145. At -170, the Bears carry an implied win probability of roughly 63 percent.
The public split is lopsided. Seventy-two percent of spread bets are on the Patriots, yet the line has not dropped below 3. When a heavy majority of tickets lands on one side and the number holds, it often signals that larger wagers are sitting on the other side. That is a mark in Chicago’s favor for anyone reading the market.
The case for Chicago starts with health and home field. Williams looked fully recovered, the defense generated real pressure at Atlanta, and New England is missing two starting guards and three cornerbacks. The case for New England is just as clear. The Patriots have won three in a row, Maye is playing at a high level, and getting a full field goal with a team of equal record has appeal. A Bears win by exactly three would push, which is why the hook matters if this line moves before kickoff.
The total tells its own story. It opened at 50 and has been bet up to 51. Both quarterbacks are playing well, and New England’s thin secondary could open lanes for Williams. Still, both teams are on a short week after Sunday games. Limited preparation time is the main risk for over bettors.
Chicago’s pass rush just showed what it can do. Gordon recorded three sacks against Atlanta in his return to game action. If Chicago can win early downs and force obvious passing situations, New England’s protection issues could decide the game. Maye’s mobility is the counterweight. He can extend plays and punish a blitz that leaves the middle of the field open.
On the other side, the Patriots’ depleted cornerback room faces a quarterback in rhythm. Williams completed more than 83 percent of his passes in his return. If New England cannot cover on the outside, Chicago may not need to lean on the ground game, especially with Monangai out. That puts more weight on Swift and on the Bears’ ability to stay ahead of the chains. The side that controls this matchup likely controls both the spread and the total.
NFL Patriots vs. Bears FAQ: Thursday October 22, 2026
What time does the Patriots vs. Bears game start?
The Patriots vs. Bears game kicks off at 8:15 PM ET on Thursday, October 22, 2026. That is 7:15 PM local time in Chicago. The game is New England’s Week 7 matchup and is played at Soldier Field.
What channel is the Patriots vs. Bears game on?
The game streams nationally on Prime Video as part of Thursday Night Football. In the home markets, it also airs over the air on WCVB Channel 5 in Boston and Fox 32 in Chicago. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit call the game.
Where are the Patriots and Bears playing?
The Patriots and Bears are playing at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears are the home team for this Thursday night game, and both teams come in after playing on Sunday.
Who won the last meeting between the Patriots and Bears?
The Patriots won the last meeting 19-3 at Soldier Field on November 10, 2024. That game featured then-rookie quarterbacks Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, and New England’s defense held Chicago without a touchdown.
What are the Patriots’ and Bears’ records this season?
Both teams are 4-2 entering Thursday. New England sits second in the AFC East behind 5-1 Buffalo and has won three straight. Chicago is chasing 5-0 Minnesota in the NFC North after beating Atlanta 31-23 on Sunday.