Sam Darnold

Jets Limp Into Chicago as Big Underdogs

The New York Jets are learning that life with a rookie quarterback is a real roller-coaster, following an embarrassing home loss in Week 7 to Minnesota. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 8, as they travel to Chicago to face the resurgent Bears as 7-point underdogs. Despite the Jets’ recent string of hitting the OVER, the total was set at 46 points.

SHARK BITES
  • The Bears are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games against the Jets.
  • The OVER has hit in four of New York’s last five games.
  • Chicago is 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 home games.

Jets vs Bears Game Center

WHY I LIKE THE OVER AT 46

The Jets have shown they can put up points, as they currently sit eighth in the NFL in points scored. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has been able to keep the offense moving, is willing to take the deep shot, and they are committed to running the ball with Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell.

While Chicago’s defense is one of the better units in the league, it has shown some weakness the past two games, allowing 31 points to Brock Osweiler and the Miami Dolphins, then 38 to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Bears are still in the top five for fewest yards allowed and top 10 for fewest points, but they have shown they can be beat.

The Jets defense, on the other hand, has struggled mightily of late. It gave up 316 yards in last week’s 37-17 loss, but that actually broke a streak of three straight games allowing at least 428 yards. The secondary has been especially weak, which is a bad matchup for a white-hot Chicago offense that has averaged 35.7 points in its past three games, with QB Mitchell Trubisky topping 300 yards each game and the ground game chugging for at least 134 yards in each contest too.

It’s difficult to envision the Jets hanging around on the road, as the Bears can score quickly and can get key stops, but even if the Jets don’t tally a lot of points, Chicago could put up a number that can make a Sportsbook of those betting on the OVER, of which I’m one.

TURNOVERS HAUNTING THE JETS

There’s no disputing that Sam Darnold has given the Jets reason for optimism, both now and in the foreseeable future, but one thing that he hasn’t been able to shake is his reputation for turnovers.

Darnold was a little too careless with the ball during his days at USC, and while he’s got 10 touchdown passes this season, he also has 10 interceptions.

The Jets overall have two turnovers in all but one game this season, and that’s a bad recipe against a Bears defense that is second in the NFL with 17 turnovers forced in just six games.

Darnold will have to be much more careful with the football on Sunday against Chicago, because racking up turnovers against a Bears offense that can make you pay for mistakes could make this game get out of hand extremely quickly.

If the Jets continue their trend of turning the ball over too much, then the Bears could be in for an easy cover of the 7-point spread.

THE RESURGENCE OF TARIK COHEN

As a dynamic pass-catching running back with speed to burn, Tarik Cohen was a pleasant surprise – and dangerous weapon – for the Bears last season.

With higher expectations for Cohen following a 53-catch rookie season, he had an incredibly disappointing start to the season. He had just seven receptions on eight targets and 48 yards through the first three games.

It’s no surprise, however, that Trubisky and the offense have taken off since utilizing Cohen more. He has 30 targets and 22 receptions in the past three games, totaling 280 receiving yards. He’s also added 98 rushing yards and has three total touchdowns in that stretch.

Cohen adds another dynamic to the Bears offense, be it receiving out of the flat or splitting out wide to run a route. He has proven that he is dangerous with the ball, and as long as head coach Matt Nagy continues to make him a key part of the game plan, the Bears offense should continue to thrive.

The Bears are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games against the Jets. The OVER has hit in four of New York’s last five games.away Chicago is 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 home games.home
Back to Top