As the Jets come off of easily the most depressing loss of their 2022 campaign so far, they come back in dire need of a victory to stay afloat in the playoff race at Metlife Stadium as they host a depleted Chicago Bears team, and an opportunity to win will be present. This week, Jets HC Robert Saleh announced this week that QB Zach Wilson will be inactive this week following one of the worst performances of his career and then failing to take accountability afterward. This has opened the door for a guy familiar to having some success in Green and White... and his name is Mike White.
For today's injury report, starting with the Bears, the most significant injury is at the QB spot, as former Ohio State and Bears starting QB Justin Fields is listed as questionable today with a shoulder injury. He will be a game-time decision, but it seems to be unlikely he will play. Instead, the Jets will prepare for a former Jets QB in Trevor Siemian assuming Fields is inactive. Along with Fields, Safety Jaquan Brisker and CB Kyler Gordon both are out with concussions today. For the Jets, DT Sheldon Rankins remains out this week with an elbow injury, TE Kenny Yeboah is doubtful with a calf injury, and OT Duane Brown is questionable with a shoulder injury, but most likely will play.
For a Bears team preview, as their record shows, things haven't gone so well for first year HC Matt Eberflus. QB Justin Fields has improved with some great performances despite the losses, but now with his status uncertain, it more than likely opens the door for Trevor Siemian to get the start for them at QB. Once a former Jets backup QB, Siemian is nothing more than a game manager at best, and should be someone the Jets' defense can put tons of pressure on today, especially with the Bears' Offensive Line being weak. Individually, the Bears have some solid offensive weapons, with RB David Montgomery, WR's Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown (Brother of Lions wideout Amon Ra St. Brown), and former Steelers wideout Chase Claypool. At TE, Cole Kmet is a red zone target as well. Although individually these guys are good, they have had a lot of difficulties putting the pieces together for games and are losing a lot of close one-possession games due to the fact. They have lost 6 of their 8 games by one possession so far this year.
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| The Jets will start QB Mike White instead of QB Zach Wilson today |
Defensively, the Bears are extremely depleted after trading away the two stars of their defense in LB Roquan Smith and DE Robert Quinn, which makes most fans believe they are sellers in the 2022 season. There isn't all that much to say when it comes to this defense. They're young and inexperienced for the most part or have guys who just haven't played much in their NFL careers. It will be optimal for Jets QB Mike White to attack this weaker defense as early as possible in this game, as they can be exposed and have been a lot this 2022 season.
They are lead now by Safety Eddie Jackson, who is probably the only starting defensive player with quality experience in the NFL. Up front, they'll start DEs Dominique Robinson and Trevis Gipson, but have former high round pick Taco Charlton who recently signed and former Jets DT Mike Pennel Jr, who as Jets fans might know how aggressive he used to be isn't disciplined and gets dumb penalties. Rookie LB Jack Sanborn leads the LB core and is still trying to assert himself a role on this team for the foreseeable future. CB Jaylon Johnson will be the top corner on the depth chart today, and as mentioned, Safety Eddie Jackson rounds out the secondary and captains this defense.
For the Jets to win this game today, if they contain the Bears' offense, they will win. Plain and Simple. For QB Mike White, we know his strengths and weaknesses from last year, where he would start 3 games in Green and White following a Zach Wilson injury. He is capable of being that guy that throws for over 400 yards and 3 TD passes like he did against the Bengals on Halloween in 2021, or can be the guy that throws 4 INTs like he did against the Bills at Metlife in November of 2021. Ultimately, it will be a huge plus, as WR Corey Davis is finally active again and should be a major boost for this offense without a doubt.
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| Former Jets backup QB Trevor Siemian picks up his first start as a member of the Chicago Bears today |
Offensively, the Jets need to play simple, a healthy balance of the run game and the passing game will be a key to success. Defensively, there isn't much else we can ask as fans, just replicate the performances from the last 2 divisional games, since they stood tall throughout. Putting pressure on Trevor Siemian could force him to make mistakes and possibly turn the ball over as well. For Mike White, keep things simple, there's no need to play hero ball despite how important a win would be today. Playing small ball can break down a weak and inexperienced Bears defense and guide the Jets to victory today.
For the game prediction today, If the Jets keep it simple they will win. They are the better of the two sides and today should be a favorable matchup for the Green and White. I do like the Jets to win today and I believe it will be a low-scoring game barring the rain that is likely in the forecast. I'll take the Jets in a low-scoring affair to win this one 14-10. I'm happy to say that I also will be in attendance for my second straight weekend going to watch the Jets. I'm looking forward to my first visit to Metlife Stadium of the 2022 season.
-Miles Chamberlain
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| The Jets will look forward to the return of WR Corey Davis today following a knee injury |
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