Bears vs. Jets: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Two teams fortunate to have an extra day of preparation square off on Monday Night Football  when the Chicago Bears continue their road trip with a stop in New York to take on the Jets.

The Jets are one of the league's nicer surprises to start the season, but are left searching for answers entering Monday after a miserable Week 2 letdown. Meanwhile, the Bears pulled off a major comeback to get a win, but suffered costly losses in the process.

In the grand scheme of things, both franchises figure to play a role in their respective divisional races. For now, the two must use the national microscope to find answers to serious questions and as a measuring stick as to overall progress.

A tip of the hat goes to those in charge of the schedule—this one could go either way and is ripe for stellar play in all aspects.

Momentum and Strength

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For those who believe in week-to-week momentum, this contest certainly favors the visitors.

Chicago went to San Francisco last week on Sunday Night Football and embarrassed the 49ers, a team playing in its new stadium for the first time, by scoring a trio of touchdowns on the final frame to steal the win.

Meanwhile, the Jets were well on their way to a stunning 2-0 start after taking an 18-point lead on the road against the Green Bay Packers.

Then lost.

Still, there are factors outside of being the home team that seem to give the Jets an edge.

Rex Ryan's team leads the NFL in run defense thanks to surrendering an average of 52.5 yards and a 2.8 per-carry average a game. Granted, those numbers are inflated thanks to games against Oakland and Green Bay, but Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler is well aware of the problems the New York defense presents on the ground and through the air, as noted by the Bears on Twitter:

Cutler does have elite receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, who combined for eight catches, 95 yards and three scores for the former on the road a week ago. But the run game has been a joke, gaining an average of just 66 yards per game.

That certainly opens the door for New York to control the pace via its strong ground game with backs Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory, who have helped the team to a league-leading average of 179.0 rushing yards per game.

On the flip side, Chicago surrenders 5.4 yards per carry.

Again, it makes for quite an intriguing matchup. Cutler has a wicked streak of momentum, but gets little in the way of help as the Jets tout strengths in areas his team struggles.

Picking Up the Pieces

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It is quite early for such a headline, but Chicago and New York enter Monday limping, and there does not seem to be much an extra day of rest can do about it.

Abundantly clear to all that the Jets' biggest task in this matchup is shutting down Marshall and Jeffery, fans can only wince at the news that No. 1 corner Dee Milliner sounds like a scratch thanks to ankle and quad issues, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini:

On the flip side, the up-and-down Jets aerial attack is due for a major loss if Eric Decker cannot give it a go. Just as he was finally getting a strong rapport down with Geno Smith, his departure from last week's contest threw things for a loop.

For the Bears, the news is even worse. No doubt shadows star corner and team legend Charles Tillman, who will miss the rest of the season. Safety Chris Conte was on his way to making up for a miserable campaign last year and even grabbed a great pick last week, but his status is now in doubt—as is the situation around tackle Jay Ratliff.

Perhaps most important of all in terms of growth Monday falls on the shoulders of Ryan himself, who has yet to really get his team in control. Cimini provides the notes:

"

The Jets have been called for 22 penalties (four declined), but who's counting? That total includes two roughing-the-passer penalties and two unsportsmanlike conduct calls, one of which resulted in the ejection of Muhammad Wilkerson. Yeah, there is a lack of maturity at times. The Jets are a relatively young team, and those young players tend to lose their poise.

"

Costly mistakes against a team as offensively potent as Chicago will put the Jets out of the game early. 

Again, few spotlights for improvement and depth tests exist than the bright lights of Monday night early in the season.

When: Monday, September 22, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Watch: ESPN

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 45.5
• Spread: New York (-3)

Team Injury Reports

Name	Position	Status
Brandon Marshall	WR	Questionable
Jared Allen	DE	Questionable
Alshon Jeffery	WR	Questionable
Chris Conte	S	Questionable
Jeremiah Ratliff	DT	Questionable

Name	Position	Status
Eric Decker	WR	Questionable
Chris Johnson	RB	Questionable

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

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While the ground game Ivory and CJ2K bring to the table is formidable, history has a tendency to repeat itself.

Last week, Ryan and the Jets saw Green Bay heat up in the second half through the air and attempted to match the tempo. The end result was a miserable loss, as Ryan allowed his team to exit the safety of its comfort zone—the run-first approach—and lean on a passing game with few weapons and what is still very much a question mark under center.

The injuries and numbers say the Bears are at a disadvantage. But as Cutler, Marshall and a talented offense showed a week ago, points can come in a hurry. When they do Monday night against a suspect pass defense, there is little reason to believe the Jets can keep pace.

Prediction: Bears 28, Jets 21

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).