Bears-Jets
Time: Monday
Spread: NYJ -3
Total: 46
Betting Odds c/o Bovada
The New York Jets are 1-1 after surviving a visit from Oakland with a 19-14 victory in Week 1, and coming off of a 7-point loss at Green Bay. The Jets will host the Chicago Bears in a game NFL oddsmakers are favoring the Jets by three-points.
New York has the top rush offense in the league, ranking 1st in yardage with 179 per game. Its pass game has lingered behind at 178 yards (30th). The Jets D, though, will keep them in games. Opponents average a league-worst 52.5 yards per game against the Jets.
Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson have done a superb job in the backfield, combining for 229 yards on 48 attempts. Ivory is good for 6.3 yards per game and two TDs. Geno Smith’s stats, while inflated due to blowout brilliance, are undeniably solid. Smith threw 23-of-28 in the Week 1 win for an 82.1 percent completion ratio. His 2 TD / 2 INT leaves some to be desired, but he has rushed the ball with some success too, getting 38 and 26 yards in the first two weeks, respectively. Johnson is shaking off an ankle injury but is expected to play.
Eric Decker and Jeff Cumberland have been the top two receivers for the Jets, combining for 14 receptions and 201 yards. Decker has scored a TD on the season, and is averaging 15.2 yards per reception. Expect Smith to get more play calls as the Jets look to diversify their offensive sets some this week.
One reason not to diversify them at all, is that the Chicago Bears have the worst rush defense in the league, and are meeting the top rushing team. Chicago has allowed 160 yards per game via the rush, while doing a good job of managing pass protection (199.5 yards per game). The Bears not only have not defended the rush, but get little of their own field production there, ranking 30th in the NFL with just 66 yards per game.
Jay Cutler has fallen under a lot of scrutiny, but he continues to produce nonetheless. Cutler has thrown 57-of-83 on the season for 525 yards and six TDs. Matt Forte has been reliable, if unimpressive at RB. Forte has rushed 29 times for 103 yards, a 3.6 yard average. The Bears need a lot more there to be competitive.
Brandon Marshall is one of the NFL’s most talented receivers and Cutler’s No. 2 option is very god too. Marshall has caught 13 receptions for 119 yards, and has four TDs. Alston Jeffery has eight catches for 118 yards, an average of 14.8 yards per reception. He’s dealing with a hamstring issue but is expected to play.
Trends:
CHI: 0-4 ATS in last 4 on turf; 1-7 ATS in last 8 following ATS win; OVER 6-1 in last 7 after allowing more than 350 yards in previous game
NYJ: 0-3-1 in last 4 after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. OVER 10-1 in last 11 games in week 3; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 on turf.
Head-to-head: Bears 3-0-1 ATS in last 4 meetings.
