Jets-Bears Week 4: What to watch in Sunday's matchup
RB = Replacing Breece
Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will carry the load with lead running back Breece Hall expected to be sidelined with a quadriceps injury he suffered in last week's loss at Detroit.
Not having Hall for Sunday’s game in Chicago is a big loss. His 265 rushing and receiving yards on 61 touches make up 27.1% of the Jets’ offense through the first three games.
Aaron Glenn is confident that Allen and Davis will step up in Hall’s absence.
“I've always said, with those three guys, I'm good with any of them," Glenn said, "and they'll go out there and they’ll make plays for us.”
Allen has rushed 19 times for 61 yards and a touchdown. Davis, who missed most of camp with a knee injury, hasn’t played an offensive snap this season.
Davis will continue to be a key player on special teams and “have a larger role when it comes to the offense,” Glenn said.
In the trenches
The mentality of the Jets’ offensive line right now, according to right guard Joe Tippmann, is “run the ball.”
The group is looking for redemption after averaging only 62.5 yards in the last two games.
The Jets showed an explosive passing game last week and might have to again against Chicago. They also want to establish the run and put together some longer drives to keep the ball away from the Bears.
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said two games are too small of a sample size to make the Jets worry, but he added, “We got to get it better. We're not trying to be 3 yards and a cloud of dust. We want to be a balanced offense. We'll keep fighting to create that balance. The reason I'm not panicking is I know we got the players in the room to do that.”
On the other side, the Jets will try to slow down the Bears’ No. 1-ranked rushing offense. They average 184.3 yards per game with their 1-2 punch of D’Andre Swift (4.7 yards per carry) and backup Kyle Monangai (5.9).
“I don't see them as necessarily like a thunder-and-lightning kind of deal,” defensive coordinator Brian Duker said. “They're both just really good backs.”
The Jets are No. 7 in rushing defense and will look to bounce back after allowing 131 yards to Detroit.
Glenn’s reunion tour continues
For the second straight week, Glenn will try to beat someone from his past.
Bears coach Ben Johnson was the Lions' offensive coordinator when Glenn ran Detroit's defense. Glenn said it will be “similar” to last Sunday when he went against Lions coach Dan Campbell.
Glenn and Johnson spent a lot of time together while planning out training camp practices against each other. It led to some fiery team periods.
“We were so competitive in move-the-ball situations on how we wanted to beat each other,” Glenn said. “But it made both of us better. I will say that. He's a damn good coach.”
Johnson is a very creative play-caller. He’s led top-six offenses his three years with Detroit and last year in his first year as Bears coach. Chicago is third this season despite having used three quarterbacks. The Bears scored 59 points in Week 1.
Starter Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2. Third-string quarterback Case Keenum started Monday night and led the Bears to a win over the Eagles with two passing touchdowns and one rushing TD.
Sitting Keenum after that performance would be difficult, but Johnson wouldn’t reveal whether Keenum or Tyson Bagent will get the start.
Duker, who also was on Detroit’s staff, said the Jets have prepared for Johnson’s system. Duker also knows to expect the unexpected from Johnson, especially within the game.
Sadiq a game-changer
Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq had a breakout game last week, catching seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown against Detroit. He should be a big part of the offense again Sunday with Hall, receiver Adonai Mitchell and tight end Mason Taylor expected to be out.
Receiver Garrett Wilson called Sadiq “uncoverable” and expects him to put stress on the defense and open things for other players.
“They have to account for him,” Wilson said. “You got a guy like that that’s great after the catch, will create separation, run away from guys. It'll make all of our lives easier. He'll bail us out a few times for sure. He’s special.”
Reich said Sadiq is “a football player,” which was demonstrated by his ability to have that type of performance so soon after missing the offseason program, preseason and most of training camp following core-muscle surgery.
“That tells you everything,” Reich said. “It’s probably a little ahead of schedule from what I was thinking, given the lack of practice, but that's a credit to him. It's a credit to the tight end room, which includes coach Alfredo Roberts.”
NUMBER, PLEASE
632: Passes attempted against the Jets since their last interception — 21 games ago. Maybe the return of former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was injured six snaps into Week 1, will help end the streak.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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