Chicago at NY Jets
Time: 8:30 PM (ET)
Network: ESPN
NFL Week 3 action concludes tonight with a big inter-conference meeting in New Joisey. The Chicago Bears and New York Jets hope to improve to 2-1 and avoid dropping under .500 early into the season. The Jets are coming off an NFC North loss last weekend to the Green Bay Packers, while the Bears are looking to continue their impressive play tonight following the big victory they had over San Francisco – for the inaugural game at Levi’s Stadium.
Tonight, we’re surprisingly picking the Jets due to the emergence of Geno Smith and how well he plays at home to get others involved. With Chicago allowing the most rushing yards in the league and New York number one among all teams in stopping the run game, Jay Cutler and receivers will have their work cut out for them tonight. It’s still only week 3 in the season, but Chicago has a legit shot to gain some cushion within their inconsistent divisional rivals. Minnesota has questions at QB and is missing their best player, while the Green Bay offensive line cannot protect Aaron Rodgers at all and Detroit is still trying to decide whether they’re a contender or a pretender.
If Matt Forte and blockers are successful in balancing the offense for Cutler to have important drives tonight, more pressure will be placed on Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson to put up those productive numbers we’ve seen in the early stage of the season for Geno. A motivated and intrigued defense is something New York doesn’t want to see on the opposing end if they want to walk away with their first win over Chicago in nearly 12 years.
UPDATE: CHI 27 | NYJ 19
.GIFS courtesy of TheBigLead.