Sunday at Soldier Field (12:00pm CST), the Chicago Bears welcome the New York Jets to the gridiron in a contest where both teams have key players injured and sidelined. The Jets walk in at 1–2 without Breece Hall (quad), their dynamic running back, and the Bears will walk out once again without Caleb Williams (hamstring) under center. Additionally, the Bears will be without Braxton Jones (knee), and the Jets will be missing Adonai Mitchell (finger) and Dylan Parham (knee). While the Bears got an amazing
game from third-string quarterback Case Keenum on Monday night, the consensus among the experts is that Ben Johnson is likely to hand the ball back to Tyson Bagent, who is back from the concussion protocol.
That said, the Bears have not officially named a starter for the game. Whichever backup has the job on Sunday, the job remains the same: protect a 2–1 start against a New York offense that has been living on the run and is now without its best back. Below is our roundtable predicting the score, individual highlights like touchdowns, yardage, sacks, and the takeaways we think will decide the game this week.
Josh Sunderbruch: I have this as Bears 24-Jets 17, but with the 17 padded by a garbage-time score. There’s a mix of playmakers on both sides, but Chicago’s coaching staff is going to manufacture the difference. This might be a breakout game for Thomas.
Sam Householder: I don’t know if it’s Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum, and I don’t care. The Bears are the better team and will want to prove it. They have the advantage on the ground. I think the passing game will look worse regardless of who plays QB but Chicago grinds it out on the ground. Bears 24, Jets 14
Gary Baugher Jr.: I’m going 28-17, with the Bears in the drivers seat the most of the way, whether it’s Case or Tyson driving is another thing entirely, but I expect a gameplan close to what we saw with the Eagles. Run/Pass balance, short timing routes, and reliance on the run to bring us home as it wears down the Jets defense slowly.
Tom Martin: 30-17 Bears. The Jets have pieces all over the field, but will be missing their glue guy in Breece Hall. Without him, they will struggle to consistently gain first downs against a jump-started Bears defense. Ben Johnson proved that his scheme can adapt to the QB, so whether it’s Keenum or Bagent, I expect the offense to continue to look efficient. Quick passes, smart running scheme, opportunistic defense. Bears roll.
Gooch: 31-14 Bears. I don’t think the Bears miss a beat shifting from Old Man Keenum to young pup Tyson Bagent. While the Jets have been surprisingly competitive to start the season, and I expect Geno Smith to spam the Garret Wilson button, I don’t think they have enough against Dennis Allen’s defense, which, ever since that shootout in Carolina, has been stifling. Allen shuts down the Jets’ depleted rushing attack, forcing them into bad down-and-distance situations. Smith throws for a TD but hands the Bears two interceptions, one to Thineman that he takes to the house. Booker, Sweat, and Motivated Dayo add sacks. JVDB’s pressure forces one of the picks. On offense, Bagent throws for 250 yards and two touchdowns, while Monangai and Swift add TDs on the ground. Rome Odunze gets on the board with a touchdown and over 100 yards receiving in a breakout game. The Bears cruise to victory and are 3-1 going into the matchup against Green Bay.
Superfans: We don’t give a ras ass if it’s Case Keenum, Tyson Bagent, Kyle Orton, or Henry Burris; this one is gonna have the same outcome… Da Bears!
