Chicago Bears (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. — TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Sam Rosen, John Lynch, Pam Oliver

*Keys to the game: The Bears chalked last week’s post-game locker room drama involving WR Brandon Marshall calling out good friend QB Jay Cutler to heat-of-the-moment passion. But the fact is that Cutler has multiple turnovers in each of Chicago’s four losses and one total in their three victories. RB Matt Forte continues to lead the league in catches, and coach Marc Trestman needs to be consistent in getting him touches to keep the chains moving and Cutler out of the pressure that leads to so many of his mistakes. The Patriots will be minus sack leader Chandler Jones (4.5).

New England continues to shuffle its offensive line due to injuries and effectiveness, but the pressure on QB Tom Brady has subsided significantly from the start of the season. The Patriots had 37 pass attempts vs. 15 rushes last week, but the underneath passing attack complements the ground game and Shane Vereen’s versatility led to leading the team with 43 rushing and 71 receiving yards in Week 6. The Bears can bring pressure from all four spots up front, but the rushers must be cognizant of Vereen and WR Julian Edelman in motion slipping out of the backfield and generating big plays. Rob Gronkowski could feast on a defense allowing almost 15 yards per catch to tight ends.

*Matchup to watch — Marshall vs. Patriots CB Brandon Browner: Much was made of Marshall’s five-inch height advantage over Dolphins CB Cortland Finnegan last week, but Marshall finished with just 48 yards while catching six of the 10 passes thrown his way. Browner (6-4, 221) is nearly the physical identical to Marshall, but showed significant rust last week in his first game back from suspension and injury. Browner played 41 snaps and was called for two penalties, but his workload should ramp up this week.

*Player spotlight — Patriots RB Jonas Gray: Promoted from the practice squad hours before New England’s Week 7 victory over the Jets, the former undrafted rookie had three carries for 12 yards while seeing 17 combined snaps on offense and special teams. At 5-10, 225 pounds, coach Bill Belichick likes his size as a complement to the 205-pound Vereen.

*Fast facts: Chicago’s opponents have scored a total of 37 points off Cutler’s turnovers this season. … Edelman has caught at least four passes in 13 consecutive games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Patriots have a 12-game home winning streak and Brady has found a smooth rhythm with his reworked receiving corps. The Bears are alternately explosive and inconsistent on offense, and have too many breakdowns defensively to knock off one of the AFC’s better teams on the road.

*Our pick: Patriots 27-24