The New York Jets (1-2) have played competitive football over the past two weeks, but neither contest resulted in a victory.

Today, as they take the field against the Chicago Bears in Week 4, they are looking to prove they can turn close losses to victories.

The Bears enter today’s matchup at 2-1 after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 on Monday Night Football. For the second straight game, they will be without Caleb Williams, who continues to deal with a hamstring injury. That didn’t seem to impact them much last week, though.

However, instead of Case Keenum, who started last week’s game and played well, the Bears are reportedly rolling with Tyson Bagent under center, although head coach Ben Johnson declined to reveal his choice during the week.

Is today a prime opportunity for the Jets to steal a win against a backup QB? Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

How to watch

  • Time: Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. ET
  • Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
  • TV: FOX
  • Broadcast crew: Tim Brando, Drew Brees, and Kristina Pink

FOX will broadcast Jets-Bears in the following markets.

  • New York, NY
  • Albany, NY
  • Burlington, VT
  • Hartford, CT
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • South Bend, IN
  • Evansville, IN
  • Chicago, IL
  • Springfield, IL
  • Peoria, IL
  • Quad Cities, IL/IA
  • Omaha, NE
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Columbia, MO
  • Cape Girardeau, MO

Weather

The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s around kickoff with mostly clear skies and winds around 8-10 miles per hour.

Uniforms

The Jets will wear green helmets, white jerseys, and green pants. It’s the same combo they have worn for all of their away games this season. Meanwhile, Chicago will roll with their navy helmets, navy jerseys, and white pants.

Injury report

New York Jets:

  • RB Breece Hall (quad): Out
  • LB Kiko Mauigoa (quad): Out
  • WR Adonai Mitchell (finger): Out
  • OL Dylan Parham (knee): Out
  • TE Mason Taylor (thumb): Out
  • EDGE Kingsley Enagbare (knee): Questionable
  • TE Kenyon Sadiq (back): Questionable

The Jets are guaranteed to be without four offensive starters, and Sadiq isn’t guaranteed to play either. Missing him would be a tough blow after a 105-yard outing against the Detroit Lions last week.

Adonai Mitchell and Mason Taylor will each miss their second straight games, while Hall and Parham will miss their first. Without Parham and Hall, the Jets’ run game and blocking will really be tested. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will need to step up for New York.

There is some positive news, as safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will return to action after a two-week absence, which is a huge bonus for New York’s secondary. Kick returner Kene Nwangwu is also gearing up to make his season debut, which will certainly boost the Jets’ spiraling special teams unit.

Chicago Bears:

  • QB Caleb Williams (hamstring): Out
  • T Braxton Jones (knee): Out
  • CB Kyler Gordon (calf): Out
  • LB Noah Sewell (Achilles): Out
  • DL Shemar Turner (knee): Out
  • DB Cam Lewis (hip): Doubtful

On top of Williams’ absence, the Bears will also be without their starting left tackle Braxton Jones and nickel corner Kyler Gordon.

This is yet another example of the Jets continuing to get early-season luck when it comes to their opponents’ health. New York failed to take advantage against the last two banged-up NFC North opponents, and will look to change that this week.

What to watch for

Can Geno Smith keep rolling?

Geno Smith’s start to the season has been incredible, and he has another favorable matchup against the Bears today.

Chicago has run single-high coverage at the eighth-highest rate in the league, while Smith has completed 88.9% of his passes while averaging 10.3 yards per attempt against those looks.

With competent protection, Smith could have another really strong outing today.

Can the Jets stop the run?

The Bears lead the NFL with 184.3 rushing yards per game this season, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai leading the charge. Monangai, in particular, has been one of the NFL’s most efficient backs this year.

With a backup quarterback in for Chicago, New York can’t let the Bears’ strong rushing attack take over. After containing Jahmyr Gibbs well in the first half last week, Detroit unleashed him in the second half. That can’t happen today.

Limiting early-down gains and the overall impact of the Bears’ rushing attack will be integral today.

Score prediction

  • Bears 24, Jets 21

Smith has been excellent this year, and the Jets are facing a backup quarterback, making it a more favorable outing than it looked when the schedule came out.

However, the Jets are really banged up on offense, and the Bears just won a game with a backup quarterback in dominant fashion over a 2-0 Eagles team, while their run game is widely considered the best in football this year.

I expect another competitive game, but I’m picking the Bears to win by three points at home and send the Jets to 1-3.