As the New England Patriots face off against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football, both teams aim to secure crucial wins in their division races. The Patriots, coming off a 26-19 victory against the New York Jets, stand at 4-2 and sit second in the AFC East. Meanwhile, the Bears also boast a 4-2 record, having defeated the Atlanta Falcons 31-23, and are tied for second in the NFC North.

Key Matchup Details:

• Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET at Soldier Field, Chicago
• Current Odds: Bears favored by 3 points
• Over/Under: 50.5 points (up from 48.5)
• Money Line: Bears -155, Patriots +130

In this matchup, the Patriots will be without WR Romeo Doubs (shoulder), who has been placed on injured reserve. The Bears, on the other hand, will miss RB Kyle Monangai (toe). Historically, the Patriots have dominated this rivalry, winning nine of the last eleven meetings.

The betting model, which has successfully simulated every NFL game 10,000 times, suggests going Under 50.5 points. This trend aligns with the last encounter, where the Patriots secured a 19-3 victory. The model indicates that the Patriots average 22.7 points per game, while their defense ranks fifth, allowing only 18.6 points per game. Conversely, the Bears' defense is also strong, permitting 19.8 points on average.

Player Highlights:

• Drake Maye has faced challenges this season, while Bears QB Caleb Williams has struggled with a hamstring injury, missing three games and throwing for 712 yards with three touchdowns.

With the model projecting 44 combined points, bettors are encouraged to explore which side of the spread is favored to hit more than 50% of the time. For detailed predictions and insights, check out SportsLine.