4 Bears questions: Will Patriots lean on ‘Gronk’ to try to slow Khalil Mack?

Four questions as the Bears prepare to play Tom Brady — who’s nearly nine months older than coach Matt Nagy — and the Patriots on Sunday at Soldier Field:

Who’s blocking Khalil Mack?

For all his pass-catching prowess, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski figures to help block the Bears’ star outside linebacker Sunday. He’ll chip away at Mack — assuming Mack plays — to help backup right tackle LaAdrian Waddle.

‘‘[Mack] is an unbelievable player, and he brings many challenges to an offense to stop,’’ said Gronkowski, whose 500th career catch, a 39-yarder with less than a minute left, set up the Patriots’ game-winning field goal last Sunday against the Chiefs. ‘‘We’ve gotta keep our eyes on him every single snap, see where he’s at, see where he’s about. And whatever the coaches want us to do — help out, give him a chip, do whatever, double-team him — we’re going to have to do.’’

The 6-6, 268-pound Gronkowski was targeted only four times against the Chiefs despite playing all but one of the Patriots’ offensive snaps. But he is a willing blocker.

‘‘He’s good at it,’’ Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. ‘‘He’s big. He takes pride in it. He likes to do it. It’s part of being a tight end in the NFL.’’

Mack called Gronkowski a solid blocker in the running game.

‘‘It’s my job to not let him do it,’’ Mack said.

Who’s helping on the other side?

Leonard Floyd, who lines up opposite Mack at outside linebacker, has no sacks this season. But he’s starting to feel back to normal after having surgery in mid-August to repair a broken right hand.

‘‘I think last week he probably played his best as far as being active,’’ Fangio said. ‘‘I think it was the first game he used his hand almost back to normal. There’s still a little more that can be improved there as far as his confidence and usage of it, but I thought it was good. Earlier, he was really affected by it.’’

Floyd wore a club to start the season. In recent weeks, he has worn a less restrictive brace.

‘‘The biggest limitation was probably, like, getting engaged and trying to get off a block,’’ Floyd said. ‘‘I only had one hand, so it was pretty hard. But now that my hand is starting to heal back all the way, I’m starting to be able to use my hands a lot more.’’

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Halftime hot tip

The over/under for the game is 49 points. Only once since 2015 have the Bears played a game with a higher number. They beat the Chargers 22-19 on Nov. 9, 2015, with the over/under at 49½.

Will the Bears be scared away from the run?

For the first time in their 1½-year pairing, Bears running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen fumbled in the same game against the Dolphins. But that won’t stop the Bears from leaning on them against the Patriots.

‘‘We’re gonna give the ball right back to them,’’ offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said.

Helfrich said he appreciated the way both handled failure. The first player to greet a dejected Howard on the sideline was Cohen — and vice versa.

‘‘A good teammate moment on some guys that are competitive guys, both individually and as teammates,’’ he said.

The Patriots have allowed only one rushing touchdown this season. The Bears are the only team to have allowed none.

Want an underrated injury?

Bears nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan hurt his ankle at the end of practice Thursday and sat out Friday. Callahan is crucial against the Patriots, whose five most common personnel groupings feature three receivers.

Slot receiver Julian Edelman has 11 catches on 18 targets for 111 yards in his two games back from suspension.

‘‘It’s a big part of their offense,’’ Fangio said of the slot.

The Bears could lean on Sherrick McManis or rookie Kevin Toliver if Callahan, who is listed as questionable, can’t go.