This match-up looks like kind of a disaster for the Chicago Bears and this is why:
NY Jets: #1 run offense, #1 run defense
Chicago Bears: #29 run offense, #25 run defense
Yep, easy to figure out what the focus will be for both coaching staffs this week as they get there usual three hours of sleep per night from September to January.
SPREAD: NY JETS -1.5
TV: Monday Night Football, ESPN 7:30 CST. Jon Gruden, Mike Tirico, Lisa Salters.
New York Jets (1-1) Preview:
Make no mistake Rex Ryan is on the hot seat this year. I wouldn’t be too surprised if the Jets pull out a 8-8 or 9-7 this year and save his job. The Jets were cruising at 35,000 feet toward that goal; landing home at LaGuardia with a 2-0 start. The Jets held a 21-3 lead at Green Bay midway through the second quarter, but gained 132 yards the rest of the way and lost 31-24.
In something that could only be described as “Jetslike,” a 37-yard touchdown pass that would have pulled New York within a point as five minutes remained, was negated due offensive coordinator Marty (we’ll take the wind, not the ball at Memorial Stadium in Champaign) Mornhinweg was signaling timeout just before the snap.
By the way, the New York Jets, the internet’s all time favorite Oregon Ducks cheerleader; to do this.
Here’s a couple pics.
For more on the Jets, here’s our newest member of The Sports Bank staff. Here’s his piece on the Jets pass rush:
“This NY Jets defense contains arguably Rex Ryan’s best pass rush since he came to New York in 2009.”
And his take on Stephen Hill, and the Jets WRs.
“With the addition of Eric Decker, the emergence of Jeremy Kerley, the draft selection of Jace Amaro and a crowded, but somewhat potentially deep depth chart of wide receivers including David Nelson, Greg Salas, Clyde Gates, and Jacoby Ford, Hill is on the clock.”
In short, the Jets will try to control the line scrimmage in this one. Geno Smith does need to develop, but this one is on the running game, who should bowl over the Bears front seven; at least on paper. It’s also about the Jets’ defensive front shutting down the Bears running game, which has been suspect thus far. Of course, games aren’t won on paper.
For more Jets previewing and punditry, see my exclusive interviews with Boomer Esiason and Michael Irvin.
Chicago Bears (1-1) Preview:
Charles Tillman is out for the season. He’s probably the greatest defensive back in Bears history. That doesn’t mean he’s in the hall of fame, but still a great player. Not only is his season over. But quite possibly his career as well.
So a questionable defense becomes highly questionable. Go here to listen Deion Sanders, Bill Cowher and Phil Seems rip the Chicago Bears run defense; it’s quite entertaining.
So given all we’ve said about this game so far, it’s pretty clear that Air Chicago needs to take over. We’ll need to see Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall early and often. Or Cutler to Orange Dino, Santonio Holmes, Alshon Jeffrey. Whoever. The Bears can win this thing by establishing dominance in JFK airspace. Oh wait, the stadium is in New Jersey, Newark International airspace.
The Bears have traditionally been bad on Monday night, and Cutler is known for being extremely unpredictable in primetime night games. Look no further than last week, where he was a non-factor in the first half, but nearly perfect in the second half.
Just in case you need another Jay Cutler GIF in your life #Bears https://t.co/ZoQM9jyLcv
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) September 17, 2014
LRT: That #CuttyDoesIt GIF is brought to you by @Buganski btw.
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) September 17, 2014
As you have to wait an extra day for the Chicago Bears game this week, we’re running the preview a day later than usual. And Friday you get to see Brandon Marshall on NFL Network’s “A Football Life.” (details on that here) Also, Cutler plays a prominent role in the documentary (more on that here)
Brutally honest prediction: Chicago Bears 23, N.Y. Jets 21
And the game will be uglier than this. A pick six in honor of Peanut Tillman by….???? Whatever member of the patchwork secondary, and then a defensive touchdown or two in addition to that will compose the scoring. By the end of the weekend, the Chicago Bears will have taken control of the NFC North.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partners with Fox Sports and Yahoo. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN2