Bears 30, Patriots 24
Can Luther Burden III Continue as Chicago Bears No. 1 Target?
The Chicago Bears traded DJ Moore this season after three straight seasons as the team’s top wide receiver. The organization did so, because Rome Odunze was waiting in the wings after the Bears drafted the Washington product during the first round of the 2024 class. Odunze hasn’t emerged as Chicago’s WR1, though. Luther Burden is the more dynamic option, as seen Thursday against the New England Patriots.
Burden was the Bears’ leader with 31 receptions entering the team’s latest contest. The second-year target exploded with four receptions for 130 yards and a score.
In some ways, Burden has effectively replaced Moore, because they two receivers have similar skill sets. Like Moore, Burden is at his best after the catch, as evidenced by taking a simple smoke route and turning it into a 24-yard touchdown. His presence in the lineup could become more critical in the coming weeks.
TE Cole Kmet Leaves Contest With Apparent Knee Injury
Burden may be featured even more depending on the diagnosis of Cole Kmet’s right knee. The veteran tight end’s knee buckled during a fourth-quarter hit along the sidelines and needed to be carted off the field.
Kmet provides the Bears with personnel flexibility. If he misses any time, Colston Loveland and Burden will be take on more responsibilities in the passing game. Meanwhile, third-round rookie Sam Roush can become a heavy in-line operator whenever head coach/offensive play-caller Ben Johnson opts to utilize 12 personnel.
Will the New England Patriots See AJ Brown Return to Form?
The Patriots traded a first-round pick to acquire AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. The organization may already regret the deal.
To be fair, Brown missed four came with an ankle injury. The 29-year-old target may need even more time getting back to game-speed. The Patriots’ hope so, because Brown was a non-factor Thursday after not being on the same page with quarterback Drake Maye during Sunday’s contest against the New York Jets.
In the end, the veteran target caught three passes for 48 yards. But he was added to create an impact for an offense that lacked a true WR1 last season. The Patriots will try and feed Brown the ball. He’ll need to do something with those opportunities in the coming weeks or risk having the situation sour on him, much like it once did in Philadelphia.
Patriots Can Alleviate Offensive Concerns with Greater Emphasis on Run Game
Brown has yet to produce like a top target. New England is injured along the offensive line, with a pair of backup guards starting Thursday. A commitment to the run game can significantly help both matters.
Granted, the Bears held a two-score lead during the second half on two different occasions. But the Patriots continued to chip away throughout the evening.
In the end, New England’s running backs carried the ball 13 times and averaged 3.4 yards per carry. This unit can’t become so one-dimensional. The ability to run the ball will make life easier on the offensive line and create space for wide receivers.