Plenty of people hand out game balls after the game. That’s easy. Watch the game, see who does well, give them the game ball. We’re doing something a little different. We’re handing out a pre-game ball. Before we watch the game, let’s settle on a player or players we think might be a decisive advantage for the Jets in the upcoming game. Occasionally we might hand out a pre-blame ball. If we think the Jets are going to get slaughtered, we’ll try to identify a prime culprit.
One caveat: the quarterback
is off limits. Nothing personal against quarterbacks, but they are obviously the most important players on the field. We could give out a pre-game or pre-blame ball to the quarterback virtually every week, but that would be boring, so we’re not going to do it. We’ll try to identify somebody besides the quarterback for the glory or the ignominy.
This approach comes with the obvious drawback that predictions are difficult, especially about the future. We’re destined to get many of these wrong. No matter. We’ll have some laughs along the way. Let’s get to it.
The Jets pre-game ball for the Jets game against the Chicago Bears goes to (drum roll please) – Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton. Our first shared pre-game ball!
The Jets are a bit of a mess on offense going into this game. They are missing starting running back Breece Hall, starting guard Dylan Parham, four (!) receivers – Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr, Arian Smith and Tim Patrick – and tight end Mason Taylor on offense. All of this makes the Jets’ offense carrying the day a bit unlikely. I don’t expect a Jets win if this game develops into a shootout. Consequently the team may need the defense to step up and control the game on their end.
Fortunately for the Jets the Bears are missing some pieces as well, including starting quarterback Caleb Wiliams. The Bears are expected to start Tyson Bagent in Williams’ place. The inexperienced Bagent presents an opportunity for the Jets defense. He hasn’t seen meaningful NFL action since his rookie year of 2023, when Bagent started four games for the Bears.
Bagent’s performance in 2023 was far from stellar. Bagent threw for just three touchdowns while chucking six interceptions, including back-to-back multiple interception games. While Bagent has presumably developed since then, the lack of NFL game experience should provide some opportunities to confuse the young quarterback.
Bagent does not have a huge arm, and he will likely be looking to get the ball out quickly. Tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland will likely be a big part of the Bears game plan, and Jets safeties Fitzpatrick and Belton will need to step up and limit the Bears tight ends in the passing game. In addition, the Bears currently boast the NFL’s #1 running game. The Jets are unlikely to completely shut down the Bears running game, but they might be able to slow them down and limit chunk plays. As the last line of defense for the Jets, Fitzpatrick and Belton will be instrumental in this regard.
If the Bears are able to run the ball at will and exploit the Jets secondary in the passing game this will be a long day for Jets fans. But let’s not dwell on that possibility. We’re Jets fans. Let’s envision Jets success. This week, that vision probably will require a big game out of the safeties. And dare I say it, an interception or two? Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton, come on down! Let’s see you plug the holes in the running game and limit the Bears’ short passing game. You get your opportunity on Sunday. Run with it.
What about you? Who would you give the pre-game ball to? Let us know in the comments.
