What are the next steps for the New England Patriots after beating the Chicago Bears on Sunday? That and more in the latest Patriots Mailbag.

With Sunday’s 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears, the New England Patriots have now won two of their last three games – with the lone loss going to overtime. Does that mean the team now has some momentum?

That was a common theme of the questions in this week’s Mailbag. While New England had its bright spots on Sunday, it’s was also clear that this Bears team isn’t exactly what many expected it to be in the preseason. How much did the Patriots benefit from a lesser opponent? We’ll get into some of that in this week’s mailbag. Plus, what have the Patriots’ last few games meant for potential offseason strategies ahead this spring.

We’ll get into some of that in this week’s mailbag. Plus, looking closer at this week’s lineup changes (and non-lineup changes). Also, some fans are wondering what the last few games meant for potential offseason strategies – especially when it comes to the draft – ahead this spring.

Let’s get started…

WATCH: Barth & Dolloff react to the win over the Bears

• 1. It certainly played a factor. The Patriots will play better run defenses and will need to continue to improve, but you can only play who is on your schedule and that felt like a game the unit can build on moving forwards. For what it’s worth, I think the biggest example of ‘the Bears are just bad’ from Sunday was the jump in production from the defensive front – especially in the pass rush.

  2. I assume this is referring to the decision to the decision to play K.J. Osborn over Kendrick Bourne on Sunday. It’s a great question Murph, and I honestly can’t think of many reasons beyond the team wanting to make sure Osborn stays engaged after not getting moved at the deadline (he had played just 31 total offensive snaps over the prior five games, including three games where he didn’t play at all).

  Still, Bourne is a better receiver and would give Drake Maye more opportunities. It would be one thing sitting Bourne down to give rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker more opportunities – work on developing the kids. But for Osborn, who is 27 and on an expiring contract, it’s tough to see the benefit unless the team is considering keeping him around beyond this year.

  3. Nothing like a good sandwich for lunch to carry you through the day. I usually go turkey with veggies and some sort of chipotle something on it. Hits the spot.

• Let’s start here – I believe that the Patriots’ coaching staff should keep the current offensive line grouping (left to right – Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, Ben Brown, Mike Onwenu, Demontrey Jacobs) in place pending an injury or somebody’s level of play sharply falling off over multiple weeks. This group is starting to build chemistry and continuity, and as far as this season goes has looked as good as any offensive line the Patriots have put out there.

  That’s what I think they should do. Will they? There are two players that could drive them to do so. It’s just about how strongly they feel about each one getting on the field.

  The first is rookie guard Layden Robinson. Robinson has already started six games for the Patriots this year. While he’s shown promise as a run blocker, his pass blocking isn’t at the level it needs to be. He can continue developing behind the scenes, but will the ‘play the kids’ mentality get him back on the field? The last offensive line change – as well as the change the team seemed to be experimenting with in practice this week – both seemed geared towards getting him in the lineup.

  Then there’s the whole Cole Strange situation. Strange is reportedly nearing a return from IR, as he’s worked his way back from a severe knee injury he suffered late last year. In addition to being a potential guard option, the team has also said they plan to work him at center. He’ll be a good option to have if Jordan or Brown really start to struggle, but right now there shouldn’t be a rush to get him in the lineup.

• The biggest thing that stands out to me with Jahlani Tavai is that he’s playing much faster and more instinctive than he was immediately following Ja’Whaun Bentley’s injury. Tavai has mostly played on the edge during his time with the Patriots, and adjusting to a more off-ball-heavy role took some time. Now that he’s been in that role for a few weeks, he looks more comfortable.

  We’ll see if Tavai can keep it up. But he’s been better – especially against the run – each of the last three weeks. That’s crucial in the Patriots’ run defense improving overall.

• That game was certainly a good reminder of why offensive line play is important. It is worth nothing though that the Bears did use a first-round pick – 10th overall – on an offensive tackle just last year when they took Darnell Wright out of Tennessee (a player some people liked for the Patriots). Wright was out on Sunday with an injury, so perhaps the real lesson is that as important as investing in top-end offensive line talent is, building solid depth is equally important at such a physical position.

• Along with tackle and receiver, pass rusher is shaping up to be the third of the ‘big three’ needs for the Patriots this offseason. Beyond Keion White the Patriots haven’t done much to address that role in the draft over the last three years, and don’t have many prospects at the position (or total players, for that matter). They need to be better at getting after the quarterback, something that should arguably be their biggest defensive priority this offseason.

  Beyond that, a second boundary cornerback with size is certainly a need. I would also add (in no particular order) a running back to spell with Rhamondre Stevenson, a developmental tight end and center, an athletic off-ball linebacker, and true free/deep safety.

• Regardless of how it looks – and I think the reason it looks gimmicky to people is because they’re so used to the old setup – I think this kickoff format has been good for the NFL. It creates more exciting plays and adds more strategy than the old kickoff had. That being said I think it still can and should be tweaks – namely moving the touchback up further – but given the other alternative was likely removing kickoffs all together I’d say it’s worked out alright.

• Missed this one last week but wanted to make sure I answered it. As we already talked about, pass rush is a big need for the Patriots right now. So give me like a bull or rhinoceros or warthog  (do the Bills rule out a Buffalo?). Something that’s just going to put its head down and charge forward until it gets to the QB.

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