Frank Schwab Senior writer Thu, October 22, 2026 at 12:34 PM UTC · 5 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2024 NFL Draft made history. It was the first time six quarterbacks were taken in the top 12 picks.
There's plenty of time to watch all six quarterbacks' careers play out and figure out how they rank. But early in their third seasons, two quarterbacks from that class seem to be separating themselves: Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots (Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders could make it a three-way conversation, but needs to stay healthy).
On Thursday night, Maye and Williams get the national stage as the Bears and Patriots face off on Thursday night. The teams around those quarterbacks are pretty good too.
The Patriots have shaken off a slow start to win three in a row, a streak that included an impressive win at the Buffalo Bills. Maye's own struggles to begin the season, a slump that extended back to last postseason, are over too. Over the last three games he has 10 passing touchdowns and one interception. Maye came one vote from winning NFL MVP last season and over the last three games he has looked like that player who was a breakout star last season.
The Patriots and Bears are both 4-2 but came to those records in different ways. The Patriots started slow and have heated up. The Bears came firing out of the gate by posting 59 points against the Carolina Panthers in the opener, but in Week 2 the offense struggled and Williams injured his hamstring. The Bears stayed afloat by winning two of three games with Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent at quarterback, though the third game in that stretch was a bad 31-7 loss to the Packers. But Williams returned last week and the Bears were up 31-7 at the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter. Chicago let down and let the Falcons back in the game, but got a key defensive stop to win 31-23.
With Williams healthy and Maye heated up, Thursday night should be a fun showdown between a pair of 24-year-old quarterbacks who should be stars for many years to come. Both teams might be capable of deep playoff runs this season, as well.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots greet each other after a 2024 game. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Both teams are in similar situations. The Patriots are chasing the Bills in the AFC East and can't afford to let Buffalo distance itself in the race. The Bears are off to a good start too but looking up at the 5-0 Vikings in the NFC North. The difference for the Bears is their entire division is in the race. Every team is above .500 and capable of winning the NFC North title. For that reason, we'll say the Bears have a little more on the line for Thursday night. But the stakes are high for each team, because one of them will be 5-2 and feeling very good about where their season is headed.
The Patriots traded a first-round pick for Brown to give them a true No. 1 receiver and transform their offense. That hasn't happened because Brown suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 and went on injured reserve. He came off IR for Week 6 and understandably was a bit rusty, with just three catches for 27 yards. He had three drops. That is uncharacteristic and seems unlikely to repeat. If the Patriots can get Brown to play to his normal level, it would improve an offense that is already on a hot streak. Brown becoming a factor in the offense is even more important with Romeo Doubs going on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Two weeks ago the Bears defense was picked apart by Jordan Love and the Packers, who repeatedly beat the secondary deep. Brown being able to generate some explosive plays could be the difference in what should be a close game.
The Chicago Bears are a 3-point home favorite against the suddenly red-hot New England Patriots on Thursday night. Chicago welcomed Caleb Williams back on Sunday against Atlanta, and the Bears' offense looked borderline unstoppable for stretches of the game in building a 31-7 lead, before two late Atlanta scores made the final closer than it should've been. Drake Maye has turned his season around, but will have his hands full trying to keep up with Chicago's offense. This total has already gone up a couple points from its opener, but I expect a great game between two potential playoff teams in this one that goes over the total of 50.5.
Check out more of Ben's work at the Yahoo Sports betting hub .
Week 7 kicks off with a fun matchup between the Patriots and Bears, looking at a juicy 50.5 total. Here are three themes to track from a fantasy perspective.
1. What does the New England backfield look like? The Patriots used three primary backs in the win over the Jets last week, and it was unheralded Corey Kiner who closed the game out. Rhamondre Stevenson is a borderline start here, and TreVeyon Henderson a bench stash (at best) for now.
2. Have the Bears unlocked their best pass catchers? Obviously getting QB Caleb Williams back last week was a huge lift, but it was also refreshing to see Colston Loveland and Luther Burden reach expectations. Perhaps Loveland, Burden and Rome Odunze are finally ready to validate their aggressive summer ADPs.
3. Can A.J. Brown get back in form? Brown's first game back from his ankle injury was an unqualified mess — just 27 yards and a handful of drops. The Patriots want Brown to be their alpha, but Drake Maye has been productive of late spreading the ball around.
Check out more of Scott's work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub .
Source: Sports
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