Geno Smith (7) and the Jets are looking to move to 2-1 on the young season. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bears (1-1) at N.Y. Jets (1-1)
Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: ESPN
*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
*Keys to the game: Chicago wants to get RB Matt Forte more involved. He draws a third consecutive difficult 3-4 front but there are winnable matchups for QB Jay Cutler across the formation. The Jets are licking wounds after Packers WR Jordy Nelson put up 209 receiving yards in a huge Week 2 comeback. The Bears cannot be overeager to get after CBs Dee Milliner (ankle) and Antonio Allen given the unpredictable nature of New York’s blitz packages.
On the flip side, Jets QB Geno Smith was too conservative at Green Bay and at a meager 5.5 yards per attempt, must open it up or be exposed to defensive coordinator Mel Tucker’s linebacker blitzes. In his favor, the Gang Green running game of Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson brings balance to the offense and should see big-play opportunities in the open field against a defense that has been dinged by missed tackles.
*Matchup to watch – Jets CB Antonio Allen vs. Brandon Marshall: Size is typically Marshall’s edge, but Allen, a linebacker in college and safety for two NFL seasons, is no pushover. Marshall is averaging just 3.9 yards after the catch dating to the start of the 2013 season.
*Player spotlight – Bears DE Willie Young: With 3.0 sacks playing only in sub packages, Young is making waves as a pass-rush specialist who needs to be accounted for when lined up over RT Breno Giacomini.
*Fast facts: Marshall has seven 100-yard games on Monday Night Football. … Jets WR Eric Decker’s 33 touchdown catches since 2012 leads all AFC receivers.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Defensive issues exist for the Bears, and it’s up to QB Geno Smith to find them before Chicago’s pass rush gets home. The Bears are capable of putting up plenty of points if they protect the ball.
*Our pick: Jets 25-20
