None of the Bills, Dolphins or Jets lost in Week 7. Now, the Patriots will keep the AFC East in full swing. After back-to-back victories over the Lions and Browns, with New England rookie Bailey Zappe at center in place of the injured Mike Jones, New England will host the Bears for a chance of over .500. Jones returned to the game for the first time since spraining his ankle in Week 3 against the Ravens, but was replaced by Zappe in the second after struggling in the first.
Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for Justin Fields to prove himself in prime time, with Matt Eberflux’s Bears “D” posing a potential challenge to Jones in his first game back. If the Patriots’ own offense struggles, calls for Zappe to return to the lineup may not be too far off. But maybe Belichick is doomed to keep the Patriots in the AFC East just by putting pressure on Fields. Either way, this one should be nice and have an impact on the red-hot Bills and Jets.
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How to watch
date: Monday, October. 24 | time: 8:15pm ET
Place: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
television: ESPN | stream media: fuboTV (free trial)
follow: CBS Sports App
odds: Patriots -7.5, U/U 40 (courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)