**Patriots Face Critical Lineup Decisions Ahead of Sunday Showdown with Bears**

The New England Patriots are gearing up for their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, and the spotlight is firmly on the offensive line and linebacker positions. With the Patriots' roster in flux, key decisions have been made regarding who will start on Sunday.

Both New England and Chicago are featuring top rookie quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, respectively. However, several high-profile players will be missing the game. For the Patriots, safety Kyle Dugger (ankle), linebacker Christian Elliss (abdomen), and newly acquired defensive end Yannick Ngakoue are among the inactives. The Bears will be without strong safety Jaquan Brisker and starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright.

During practice this week, the Patriots experimented with different offensive line combinations. Veteran Mike Onwenu was moved to left guard in place of struggling Michael Jordan, who allowed significant pressures in the previous game. Additionally, fourth-round guard Layden Robinson, who had a tough outing last week, could be given another chance to prove himself. Possible line configurations may include Vederian Lowe at left tackle, Ben Brown at center, Robinson at right guard, and Trey Jacobs at right tackle.

In the receiving corps, rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are expected to see more action, hoping to complement starters DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Kayshon Boutte. The team has also elevated tight end Mitchell Wilcox from the practice squad, anticipating a run-heavy game plan against Chicago's weak run defense.

On the defensive side, the Patriots will rely on Sione Takitaki, who will start at linebacker due to the release of Raekwon McMillan and Elliss’ injury. Takitaki, who missed training camp due to a knee procedure, is now fully activated and ready to contribute. The safety position remains a concern with leaders like Dugger out, meaning greater responsibility will fall on hybrid Marte Mapu, undrafted rookie Dell Pettus, and free safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

The Patriots enter the game as six-point underdogs against the Bears. Despite the team’s 2-7 record, quarterback Drake Maye has shown glimpses of promise, and a strong performance could spark a debate about his potential compared to his fellow rookie, Caleb Williams.

Sunday's game will be pivotal not just for the Patriots' immediate fortunes, but for evaluating young talent that could shape the team's future.