Chicago Bears vs New York Jets: Complete Week 1 Preview for New York
The New York Jets will tangle with one of the NFL's best offenses for the second-straight week at MetLife Stadium on Monday Night Football.
The Jets and the Chicago Bears are both 1-1, but they couldn't be coming into the game with more opposite emotions. New York blew an 18-point lead against the Green Bay Packers and dropped a heartbreaker at Lambeau Field, while the Bears recovered from a sloppy start to defeat the San Francisco 49ers on the road.
The Bears and the Jets have very different strengths and weaknesses. Chicago possesses a fantastic passing game but a questionable defense, while Gang Green can struggle to put up points but boast a solid defensive unit, particularly in the front seven.
Both teams have playoff aspirations this season, but only one will walk out of New Jersey with a victory.
Click through to see a full preview and analysis, as well as a final score prediction, for the Week 3 contest.
Jets' Week 2 Recap
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It all went so well for Rex Ryan and Co. for a quarter-and-a-half.
The Jets marched out to a shocking 21-3 lead over the Packers in Green Bay, as Geno Smith led three-consecutive touchdown drives and the defense stifled Aaron Rodgers.
However, once Rodgers began figuring out New York's defensive scheme, it all fell apart quickly.
Rodgers and his main men Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb torched the Jets' weak secondary throughout the second half, and Geno Smith and the offense didn't have any answer, as the unit scored just three points on its final nine possessions.
A would-be game-tying touchdown was taken off the board in the closing minutes by an ill-timed timeout by Marty Mornhinweg, and the Jets dropped a tough one, 31-24.
Despite the loss, Gang Green showed they can compete with some of the league's best teams on any Sunday.
However, the performance by the secondary is something to be concerned about moving forward, as the Jets face some of the league's most-explosive aerial attacks in the next few weeks, starting with the Bears.
News and Notes
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Even Michael Vick Isn't a Fan of His Own Set of Plays
Marty Mornhinweg has tried to keep opposing defenses on their toes through two weeks with special offensive packages centered on backup quarterback Michael Vick.
However, the offense hasn't had much success with these plays, and even Vick himself thinks it's a bad idea.
Vick said the Wildcat plays 'disrupt [the] timing of [Geno Smith]' and are 'petty,' per Brian Costello of the New York Post.
Mornhinweg obviously thinks the packages can be used to throw off defenses, and to some degree, he's right. Vick's speed and throwing ability make him a dangerous threat in the Wildcat.
Nonetheless, the plays have been a failure thus far, so it might be time to abandon them until it is proven they can help movie the chains.
Discipline Not a Concern for Rex
The Jets have not been the most-disciplined team in the league through the first two weeks of the season. Far from it.
New York's committed 18 penalties for 187 yards, which was a huge reason for the team's tough loss to the Packers.
Personal fouls led to Muhammad Wilkerson's ejection, and a game-changing interception by David Harris was taken off the board by a 12-men-on-the-field call.
However, Rex Ryan rejected the idea the Jets have a problem with discipline, according to Jane McManus of ESPN New York.
Ryan's lack of concern about the amount of mental mistakes New York is racking up is surprising, especially after they were a key reason for the team blowing a huge lead last week.
Regardless, the Jets will struggle to win close games if they continue to be hampered by silly errors.
Jets Look to Avenge Prime-time Woes
New York has not performed well on the prime-time stage in recent years, and that's a massive understatement.
The Jets have dropped six of their last eight prime-time games in the last four years. That includes the infamous 'Butt Fumble' game, a 45-3 blowout loss at home to the Patriots, and an embarrassing showing on Monday Night Football against the Titans that basically ended the Mark Sanchez era.
In fact, Gang Green haven't played a prime-time game at home since the 'Butt Fumble' game.
Thankfully, Rex Ryan guarantees a better showing on Monday Night than in that one, per Sports Illustrated.
Good to know, Rex, but I don't think it could get much worse than that fateful Thanksgiving Night.
Let's see if the Jets can show the nation what they're capable of this week.
Injury Report
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| Player | Injury | Status |
| Dee Milliner | Ankle/Quadriceps | Questionable |
| Nick Bellore | Hip | Questionable |
| Eric Decker | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Josh Bush | Quadricep | Probable |
| Quinton Coples | Elbow | Probable |
| Willie Colon | Calf | Questionable |
| Nick Mangold | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Chris Johnson | Ankle | Questionable |
| A.J. Edds | Hamstring | Questionable |
*All injury statuses courtesy of the official site of the New York Jets
The Jets added another key player to the injury report this weekend in wide receiver Eric Decker.
Decker, the team's biggest free-agent signing, was off to a tremendous start before re-aggravating a hamstring injury that bothered him throughout the preseason in the game against the Packers.
Now, Decker is a major question mark for the Monday night contest. The wideout hasn't practiced all week, but Rex Ryan has said he doesn't have to practice to play, per CBS New York.
Gang Green's offense would be a lot less dangerous without Decker, so whether he plays could be a key decider on Monday.
Cornerback Dee Milliner, who has been dealing with a high-ankle sprain, has also been dealing with quad soreness this week, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
Milliner's another big question mark for this week's game.
Big names such as Chris Johnson, Nick Mangold and Willie Colon have practiced on a limited basis throughout this week but are expected to be fine to play, per the CBS article mentioned above.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Jets' Cornerbacks vs. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery
After getting destroyed by Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb a week ago, the Jets cornerbacks look to bounce back on Monday night.
However, the competition won't be any easier, as they have to face two of the biggest and most dangerous wide receivers in the league in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
Marshall and Jeffery dominated a strong 49ers defense last week, even though neither was completely healthy.
Whether it's Darrin Walls, Antonio Allen or Dee Milliner matching up with the pair of Pro Bowl receivers, they have to bring their A-game if they are going to contain them.
The game could be won or lost with this matchup.
Jets' Front Seven vs. Matt Forte
New York's defensive front had no trouble shutting down Eddie Lacy last week.
It'll look to do the same against another Pro Bowl running back in Week 3.
The Jets currently rank as the league's best run defense, as Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and Sheldon Richardson, along with the linebacker corps, are too much to handle for opposing offensive lines.
On the other hand, the Bears have struggled to develop a running game in the first two weeks, and Matt Forte has only managed to rush for 21 yards on a dozen carries.
Chicago guard Kyle Long was 'embarrassed' by the effort, but things won't be much easier against Gang Green.
If the Jets can shut down the Bears' running game, they can make their offense one-dimensional and amp up the pressure on Jay Cutler.
Geno Smith vs. Bears' Pass Rush
Expect the Bears to pressure Geno Smith, as they will look to stack the box to stop the run and disturb the young quarterback.
Chicago possesses a dangerous pass rush led by new additions Jaren Allen and LaMarr Houston. They managed to force Colin Kaepernick into four turnovers a week ago.
Despite a couple turnovers in the first two weeks, Smith has done a great job of staying composed and confident in the pocket, especially under pressure.
The second-year signal-caller must continue to be collected in key moments and avoid dooming the offense with mistakes.
If Smith can handle the pass rush and manage to make plays through the air, the Jets' offense could have its way with Chicago's defense all night long.
Jets' X-Factor of the Week: David Nelson
New York's passing game has focused on Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley through the first two weeks.
While Decker and Kerley are undoubtedly the top-two targets on the offense, the Jets need other receivers to step up and make plays, especially if the former doesn't play on Monday.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, the Jets have had internal discussions about increasing the targets of the secondary receivers in an effort to open up the field.
Look for Marty Mornhinweg and Geno Smith to look for David Nelson throughout this week's game, as the veteran receiver is a capable route-runner who could draw attention off the primary pass-catchers.
Nelson could be the key to success for New York's offense.
Prediction
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The Jets and the Bears should play a high-scoring, entertaining affair on prime time.
New York's biggest strengths are some of Chicago's biggest weaknesses and vice versa.
Gang Green will look to dominate possession and the pace of the game by developing a running game against the Bears' subpar run defense, while the Monsters of Midway will attack the Jets' weak secondary with their Pro Bowl receivers and big tight end.
The game should come down to which team commits the fewer mistakes.
If Geno Smith can avoid turning the ball over and New York puts a stop to the silly penalties and mistakes that plagued the team last week, the Jets should be able to claim the much-needed victory at home.
However, if neither Decker nor Milliner is able to suit up, it could be difficult for the Jets to make plays on both sides of the ball.
For now, though, I'm confident Rex Ryan can gather his troops after a tough loss and beat a solid Bears squad.
Jets 27, Bears 23
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