Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: CHI 27, NYJ 23 (Line: NYJ by 1.5)

UPDATE: Brandon Marshall is missing practice but it is the same injury he had last week when he caught three touchdowns. They are only resting him though it would be prudent to make sure he does something on Saturday. This is the Monday night game so the report is never final until game time. Alshon Jeffery has been limited in practice but he too is expected to play same as he did last week. Eric Decker has not practiced because of his hamstring but HC Rex Ryan said that Decker did not need to practice in order to play. I am leaving the projections alone but be aware of his situation that won’t be completely known until Monday.

The 1-1 Bears made up for their home loss to the Bills by taking down the 49ers during the Grand Opening of their new stadium. The Jets slide to 1-1 with their loss in Green Bay. This is a tough game to call since both teams are still inconsistent and the Jets are at home where they always play much better. This is the Monday Night game and should post good point.

After losing to the visiting Bills, the Bears take down the 49ers in their new stadium. Just a little inconsistent. The next month is going to be a huge challenge with three more road games sandwiching a home meeting with the Packers .Winning in San Francisco gives the Bears the record we all assumed they would have now – just exactly not how we figured they would get there. A win this week would play huge for later in the year when the schedule gets far easier.

QUARTERBACK : The yardage may have been light, but Jay Cutler posted four touchdowns last week in San Francisco to go with his 176 passing yards and that totals six on the season. Encouraging as well is only being sacked three times so far and throwing no interceptions last week. Assumedly his best receivers won’t play the same injury game this week and we can start him with no reservation.

RUNNING BACK : After a season opener with 169 total yards, Matt Forte was the main focus of the 49ers defense which held him to only 21 yards on 12 carries and his five catches netted just 15 yards. Forte still has yet to score a touchdown this year. Facing good defensive lines is not going to stop this week either in New York but he’ll make it up later in the year. He still doesn’t share so he gets all there is to get.

WIDE RECEIVER : Tough scenario last week when both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery both missed nearly all practices and were game time decisions – in the late night game on Sunday. That led to many owners leaving them on the bench for safer alternatives but in this case both played. Jeffery was still limited by a hamstring strain and only managed three catches for 71 yards but Marshall’s sprained ankle did not stop him from five receptions for 48 yards and three touchdowns. With no word of any setbacks, both should be safe starts this week.

TIGHT END : So far Martellus Bennett has been much busier than expected though that comes in part because of the defenses faced and the injuries to the wideouts. Bennett scored both weeks and is averaging over seven catches per week for around 50 yards. That would hold up all year and is similar to what he did in 2013.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: This should be a nice game. Granted, Forte faces a very tough defensive line that has only allowed 72 rushing yards total over the two first games and no scores. That will once again give him lower stats. But the Jets have already allowed five passing touchdowns including two to Derek Carr. Better yet, all five went to wide receivers and Jordy Nelson gained 209 yards against them. Start Forte but keep expectations lower. Marshall, Jeffery and Cutler are all must starts. Tight ends have done nothing against the Jets so far but they have no yet faced any decent receiving tight ends. Bennett is a bit riskier this week and he’s already scored in two straight.

The Jets nearly pulled off an upset in Green Bay but fell short. The problem that resulted was that Eric Decker pulled his hamstring and so far he has been the only receiver of any note. The rushing effort has been more than adequate so far but the weakness in the secondary is what the Jets are going to be fighting all year. The schedule is not great but at least three of the next four will be at home. And yet all three will be facing very good passing offenses.

QUARTERBACK : Geno Smith isn’t making a big difference this year but he’s no liability either. He’s thrown one touchdown in both games but averages right around 200 yards. He adds about 30 rushing yards per week and did run in a score in Green Bay. But he continues to rely mostly just on Eric Decker who may not be available this week. In fairness to Smith – Decker is the only above average receiver on the roster.

RUNNING BACK : Chris Johnson has taken a backseat to Chris Ivory so far though both receive the same workload and Johnson has been the starter. Ivory broke the long run to make a difference in his stats against the Raiders and had more success later in the game. The duo provide an important part of the offense and have kept the Jets in games despite the lackluster passing results. If Decker is out, more attention may be directed to slowing down the rushing game.

WIDE RECEIVER : Eric Decker left the Packers game with a hamstring strain and he will have until Monday to heal up. He has the only touchdown caught by a Jets receiver and over two games he produced nine receptions for 137 yards. The next best is Jeremy Kerley with only eight catches for 60 yards. Decker holds the only fantasy value of the crew. I’ll assume he can at least play on a limited basis and update as more is known. As a Monday night participant, he’ll be hard to rely on unless given a clean bill of health with a full practice.

TIGHT END : No fantasy value yet. Jeff Cumberland is the primary but eventually the rookie Jace Amaro will hopefully take over.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Bears defense has played better than expected so far with only one passing score per week allowed and never more than 248 yards. They have allowed just one rushing score to a running back and no one has rushed for more than 63 yards, This will be the third running quarterback that the Bears have faced. Decker was the best play here but will be risky. Johnson and Ivory will split the rushing against a defense that has been very good against the position so far. Hard to consider either more than a flex play.

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