Patriots’ keys to victory over the Bears

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago.

TV, radio: CBS, WBZ-FM 98.5.

When the Bears run

Jordan Howard is a super-sized tailback with excellent instincts and strength. The 6-foot, 224-pounder sees openings quickly and will blast through with enthusiasm and energy. Howard has thick, muscular legs and will power through defenders and leave them in his wake. He has superb stamina, and if he finds his rhythm early, he can wear down and demoralize a defense. Howard is more thumper than speed burner and he does run a little upright, leaving him vulnerable to big hits, but he generally gives as good as he gets. Tarik Cohen is a greased-lightning little bugger. The 5-6, 181-pounder’s ability to shift speeds and make guys swing and miss would make Greg Maddux blush. He can dart in and out of traffic like Frogger and find his way to the fast lane in no time. He lacks the bulk to be a bell cow, but he’s an ideal change-of-pace guy. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s mobility and ability to make plays (including salvaging broken ones) with his legs must be respected. Taylor Gabriel (5-8, 165) has the speed to run jet sweeps, but his tendency to decelerate (hesitate?) when making cuts will cost him at times. Center Cody Whitehair is a blue-collar battler who will fight through the whistle. He gets his hands inside the defender’s chest quickly. Right guard Kyle Long has a nice mix of power and athleticism, allowing him to neutralize bigger and quicker guys. Left guard Eric Kush is a solid tactician but can get overpowered.

EDGE: Bears

Rushing yards per game

Chicago offense: 130.0 (eighth)

New England defense: 110.7 (18th)

Jordan Howard is averaging 75 yards per game rushing.jennifer stewart/Getty

When the Bears pass

Mitchell Trubisky is thriving under first-year coach Matt Nagy, a former quarterback and an Andy Reid protégé. Trubisky is powerfully built (6 feet 3 inches, 222 pounds) with a very strong arm and underrated athleticism. Trubisky is smart and processes information quickly. He gets a good initial read on defenses and will make solid postsnap adjustments and decisions. He does a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield and shows good poise; he doesn’t get rattled by the chaos swirling around him. Tackles Charles Leno Jr. (he slides smoothly) and Bobby Massie (he’s massive) work well to insulate their quarterback. The Patriots don’t have gaudy sack totals but consistently get pressure off the edge and up the gut. Trubisky can spin all the throws and maintains his accuracy when extending plays and improvising outside the pocket. He distributes the ball well and has many good options. Taylor Gabriel lacks size but not skill. He can take short catches and turn them into long gains with his excellent vision and acceleration. Allen Robinson (6-3, 211) gains separation with size, speed, and savvy. He’s a fluid runner and consistently catches with his hands, not his body. Trey Burton is more wide receiver than tight end. He’s adept at finding open spaces and will work back to the ball if need be. Backs Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard are valuable safety valves. They will make things happen after the catch.

EDGE: Patriots

Passing yards per game

Chicago offense: 236.2 (22nd)

New England defense: 268.7 (21st)

Allen Robinson has 24 receptions and two touchdowns this season.david banks/AP

When the Patriots run

Sony Michel has kicked the New England ground game up a notch over the last three games, collecting more than 300 yards while helping to open things up for the aerial assault. Michel has improved weekly, most notably in his vision and patience. The 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pound rookie is letting his blocks develop before accelerating through lanes with destructive force. Michel runs low, has a good feel at the second level, and can bounce off initial hits and make extra yards. James White is sneaky-quick out of the backfield and shifty once he gets into the open field. Michel and White are running behind a crushing fullback and confident offensive line. James Develin puts on a weekly blocking clinic, opening pathways with strength and leverage. The offensive line has been poetry in motion recently, using combo blocks and stunts to near-perfection to create open spaces. This will be a good test because the Bears have a very solid front seven. Tackles Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman have size and power. Hicks is strong enough to close gaps and athletic enough to shoot through them and force fumbles. Goldman will anchor against the run and is about as easy to move as a Jersey barrier. The linebacker quartet is impressive with ferocious Khalil Mack (he will chase the ball from sideline to sideline) and athletic Leonard Floyd on the outside. Big hitters Danny Trevathan and rookie Roquan Smith man the middle.

EDGE: Bears

Rushing yards per game

New England offense: 123.0 (11th)

Chicago defense: 83.4 (fourth)

Sony Michel is coming off a 106-yard effort vs. Kansas City. steve senne/AP

When the Patriots pass

Tom Brady is getting increasingly comfortable with his newest toy. Josh Gordon’s ascension up the depth chart has been impressive as he continues to get comfortable with his surroundings and the New England playbook. After getting his feet wet in his first two games, he was fully submerged last week, playing 81 percent of the snaps. Gordon has great size (6 feet 3 inches, 225 pounds), explodes in and out of his cuts, and has good hands. He’s adept at shielding defenders from the ball and is a demon on quick slants that he can turn into big gains. Gordon bolsters an already solid and diverse corps of pass catchers in Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, James White, and Chris Hogan – and Brady will get them all involved. Giving Brady the time to spread it around is important, because the Bears get after quarterbacks the way Yogi gets after pic-a-nic baskets. It starts on the edges with the magnificent Khalil Mack, whose blend of size, speed, and agility is ideal. He counters bigger blockers with his speed and athletic blockers with his power. Heat will come up the middle in the form of sneaky-quick tackle Akiem Hicks and speedy linebacker Danny Trevathan. Cornerbacks Prince Amukamara (great quickness and mirror skills) and Kyle Fuller (instinctive and tough) are sticky. Safeties Eddie Jackson (covers like a corner and hits like a linebacker) and Adrian Amos (always around the ball) are versatile.

EDGE: Patriots

Passing yards per game

New England offense: 258.2 (19th)

Chicago defense: 260.4 (16th)

Khalil Mack is a force on defense but has been dealing with an ankle injury.joe robbins/Getty

Bears’ key player: Mitchell Trubisky

The second-year player isn’t often included in the “dual-threat” quarterback conversation, but he should be. The 6-foot-3-inch, 222-pounder can beat you as a traditional dropback passer, and he can demoralize you as scrambler. Wrap him up, or he’ll put a bow on this game.

How he beats you: With great poise. For a guy who started just one year in college and one year in pro, he plays and carries himself like a grizzled vet. His confidence is unwavering, and that rubs off on his teammates.

How to shut him down: By disguising your coverages. Trubisky makes good presnap reads, but asking a younger quarterback to consistently make quick postsnap adjustments is asking a lot. Confusion must reign.

Bears’ keys to victory

1. Chicago deep dish: The Patriots gave up a couple of big plays last week, so take your shots downfield. At the very least, it will open things up underneath.

2. Chicago fire: Blitz from the get-go. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can dial up the pressure all over, from Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack up front to Danny Trevathan at the second level to Bryce Callahan in the secondary.

3. Chicago marathon: Grind this game out with the legs of running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. Let Howard land the early body blows and Cohen have a late-round finishing flash.