5 keys to a Jets win vs. the Bears in Week 4

The New York Jets have played three competitive games, but they enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record and another difficult road test ahead. The Chicago Bearsjust delivered one of the biggest surprises of the young season, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7behind third-string quarterback Case Keenum, who completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

That result makes the challenge in Chicago even more interesting. The Jets have shown they can compete with quality opponents, but they have yet to consistently finish games, and they now face a Bears (2-1) team that is playing with confidence after an impressive Monday night performance.

Here are Jets Wire's five keys to a Jets victory:

Can Geno Smith keep this up?

Some believed before the season that quarterback Geno

Smith would have to be nearly perfect for the Jets to win some games. Through three weeks, he has been remarkably accurate, completing 75.5% of his passes and ranking near the top of the league in several accuracy-based measures. PFF currently has Smith second in completion percentage over expected at +9.9%, with 119 dropbacks.

Unfortunately for New York, that efficiency has produced only a 1-2 record. Smith may have to be excellent again Sunday because Chicago just showed that its offense can win convincingly even when forced to turn to its third quarterback. Keenum played efficiently against Philadelphia, while Ben Johnson's offense created enough opportunities to keep the Bears in control for most of the night.

Keep the score close enough that the Jets don't have to be one-dimensional

The Jets cannot afford to fall behind by multiple scores and force themselves into a pass-heavy game plan. New York needs the running game to remain involved, even if Breece Hall (quad) is out, because that balance creates better situations for Smith and offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

Chicago's defense showed against Philadelphia that it can capitalize when an offense becomes predictable. The Jets need to keep the game within striking distance long enough for the entire offense to remain available rather than asking Smith to throw his way out of a deficit.

Eliminate long Bears offensive drives

Chicago's Week 3 performance should get the Jets' attention because the Bears repeatedly put together sustained possessions. Three of their nine drives against Philadelphia lasted at least 11 plays, and all three produced points. Two of the other six drives also ended with points, making it especially difficult for Philadelphia to regain control.

That emphasizes third down for Aaron Glenn's defense. The Jets cannot repeatedly allow Chicago to extend drives, drain the clock, and keep their defense on the field. If New York can force punts early in possessions, it can give Smith and the offense more opportunities to establish control.

Force turnovers

At some point, the Jets' interception drought has to end. New York has generated pressure and forced fumbles, but the secondary still hasn't produced an interception through three games.

Against a Chicago offense that could enter Sunday with a quarterback decision still unresolved, an opportunistic defense could have an enormous impact. Ben Johnson said Wednesday that Chicago is still evaluating its three quarterbacks after Keenum's impressive outing, meaning New York has another variable to prepare for.

The Jets don't necessarily need to create a defensive masterpiece. One or two extra possessions could be enough to change the game, particularly if New York avoids giving Chicago short fields in return.

Can Aaron Glenn's familiarity with Ben Johnson pay off?

Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson spent years working together on Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions staff, with Glenn running the defense and Johnson coordinating the offense. They know how the other approaches preparation, game planning and adjustments, which makes Sunday's matchup about more than just the players lining up across from one another.

That familiarity could be useful for Glenn because Johnson just showed what his offense can do when it finds the right formula with an unexpected quarterback. The Jets will have to anticipate how Chicago may adjust its approach based on who starts under center, and Glenn's understanding of Johnson's tendencies could help him identify where those adjustments are headed.

The Jets have spent three weeks showing that they can hang around in difficult games. Chicago provides another opportunity to prove they can turn that competitiveness into a victory, but doing so will require Smith to stay efficient, the defense to get off the field and Glenn to win his side of the chess match against his former colleague.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 keys to a Jets win vs. the Bears in Week 4