NFL Preview: New England Travels to Chicago

New England Patriots (10-2) at Chicago Bears (9-3)

Patriots Notes:

— The Patriots’ 42-point victory over the Jets on Monday night was the fifth-largest victory in the franchise’s 803-game history. The only victories  by a greater margin were a 59-0 win over Tennessee in 2009, a 56-3 win over the Jets in 1979, a 56-10 win at Buffalo in 2007 and a 52-7 win over Washington in 2007.

— QB Tom Brady continues to light the NFL on fire. The likely 2010 MVP, Brady has thrown at least one TD pass in all 12 games this year. He’s also run his streak to 228 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, a franchise record.

Bears Notes:

— WR Earl Bennett has finally emerged as the legitimate No. 2 receiver many expected him to be. A former teammate of QB Jay Cutler’s at Vanderbilt, Bennett is now in second place on the team with 39 receptions for 457 yards; last Sunday against Detroit, he racked-up a career best 104 receiving yards.

— Against Detroit, DE Julius Peppers had one sack to move into a tie for the team lead at seven with Israel Idonije. Peppers has five sacks in the last three games, but he and Idonje have combined to create one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league. They might’ve overtaken Indianapolis’ Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis as the premier 1-2 pass rushing duo in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins (6-6) at New York Jets (9-3)

Dolphins Notes:

— Rookie RG John Jerry was available to play Sunday, coach Tony Sparano said, but the determination was made to put veteran Pat McQuistan back in the starting lineup. While Sparano said he was pleased with the results, the statistics showed otherwise — the Dolphins could only manage 114 yards on the ground and failed to exceed 3.8 yards per carry for the fourth straight game. Jerry should be back in against the Jets.

— K Dan Carpenter, who is having a Pro Bowl-calibre season, had a 41-yard field goal attempt blocked by Cleveland’s Shaun Rogers on Sunday. That ended Carpenter’s streak of 28 field goals made inside of 45 yards.

Jets Notes:

— The team will be spending most of the week trying to exorcise the demons of that 42-point loss to the Patriots on Monday Night Football. They’ll also be trying to figure out how to replace S Jim Leonhard (fractured right tibia). Early indications are that CB Dwight Lowery will slide into the position and that FS Brodney Pool will move over now that Eric Smith is playing strong safety.

— The Leonhard injury also leaves the Jets think at the punt returner position. Santonio Holmes looked good in limited action against the Patriots, but it’s widely believed that WR Jerricho Cotchery will handle the duties moving forward. Cotchery has fallen down the depth chart with the emergence of Holmes and Braylon Edwards at WR, but is still a very capable playmaker. This could be a great way to get him some more touches.