Key matchup
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky is coming off an uneven performance against the Patriots, but overall he has been making progress in his second season. He faces a middle-of-the-pack defense that provides opportunities but throws a lot at you. The Jets rank 19th in total defense but eighth in passing yards per attempt and sixth in interceptions per attempt.
“They’re an aggressive defense; they like to bring pressure,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “[Safety Jamal Adams] flies around, and he’s always in the box, moving around. Sometimes he’ll come, sometimes he won’t, and that’s where it can be challenging.”
Adams, the sixth pick in the 2017 draft — four picks after the Bears took Trubisky — indeed plays all over the field. He leads the Jets in tackles (50), tackles for loss (six) and forced fumbles (two). He also has six pass breakups.
“They’re going to blitz him a lot; you’ve always got to account for him,” Trubisky said. “He’s a playmaker, a ball hawk. He’s going to get after the ball and try to cause havoc, so we’ve got to match up well.”
Trending
The Bears’ offense has scored 28 or more points in three consecutive games for the first time since 1995 — when Erik Kramer & Co. did it four consecutive weeks — and only the second time since the 1970 merger.
Player to watch
Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who has been playing with a broken hand he suffered in the preseason, still is looking for his first sack. He had three tackles and no impact plays against the Patriots.
“He’s just got to rush a little bit better,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “And he was affected by dropping [into coverage] some. They were getting the ball out quick. We only had one third-and-seven the whole game, and the rest of them were third-and-ones and third-and-twos. We didn’t get them in third down and obvious pass situations.”
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With Khalil Mack questionable with a sprained right ankle, the Bears need Floyd to pick up the slack. He should have more chances for impact plays.
X-factor
Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, threw a pick-six on his first pass, just as Brett Favre did with the Falcons in 1991. And, like Favre, Darnold has been streaky. He’s averaging a 109.6 passer rating in his three best games and 55.3 in his four other games.
“I like him,” Fangio said. “He’s got a good arm, got a nice release. He’s athletic and very mobile. He’s caused people problems throwing outside the pocket when he scrambles. I think they’ve got a really good quarterback, and I’ve been impressed by him.”
