Players to Watch When Banged up Jets Face Bears This Sunday

The Jets will be significantly hobbled by injuries this Sunday against Chicago, but the Bears can say the same as the status of quarterback Caleb Williams remains up in the air.  Bears head coach Ben Johnson is playing coy on who will start, but it would come as quite the surprise if Caleb Williams were to suit up.

The Bears starter isn’t expected to play as his grade 2 hamstring strain could keep him out for up to four weeks and took place just over a week ago.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the key matchups:

Jets ILB’s vs Bears RB D’Andre Swift: 

The Jets linebackers were downright disastrous last week against the Detroit Lions.  DeMario Davis and Jamien Sherwood combined to allow 13 completions on 15 targets that resulted in 176 yards through the air.  You’d better believe Ben Johnson took note and will get the ball to Swift until the Jets show they can stop him.

RB Braelon Allen vs S Dillon Thieneman:

Allen will be starting in place of the injured Breece Hall and Thieneman is a heat seeking missile at safety who can cover a ton of ground.  So far this season he’s been credited with sixteen tackles through three games which leads the team.  The Jets running game hasn’t been able to get anything going over the past two weeks and if they don’t account for Thieneman, it’ll be another long day on the ground.

Head Coach Aaron Glenn vs Head Coach Ben Johnson:

These two went head-to-head countless times as Dan Campbell’s coordinator’s in Detroit.  Glenn has done some good things for the Jets this season, but Johnson has been as good as advertised as an offensive genius.  Last week he managed to get third-string quarterback Case Keenum to light it up on offense, going 11-for-11 against the blitz.  Meanwhile, Glenn’s unit has managed zero pressure against opposing QB’s without blitzing.  Not a great combo.

Prediction:

The Jets fall to 1-3 as Johnson’s offense is too much for Glenn’s defense in a 31-21 final.

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