The New York Jets host the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football to wrap up Week 3. New York opened as 1.5-point favorites, and the line has moved them to anywhere from 2.5-point to 3-point favorites according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The total is currently sitting between 44 and 45 points.
Neither team has been particularly good against the spread lately. New York is 3-4-2 ATS in its last nine games, while Chicago is 6-16-1 ATS in its last 23 games. The Bears do have a solid hold on this series. Chicago is 4-1-1 in its last six games with New York dating back to 1994, according to the OddsShark NFL Database. These two teams have generally played low-scoring games, with the total going under in seven of the last eight matchups.
The NFC North has had success against the AFC East in recent years. The Bears are 3-0 ATS in their last three road games against the AFC East. The Jets are 0-3-1 in their last four games against the NFC North.
The OddsShark Computer prediction has another close one, with the Jets winning 20.9 to 19.8. That would have the Bears covering, and the under hitting.
The Bears have ruled out several starters for Monday. Center Roberto Garza, linebacker Shea McClellin, defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, and guard Matt Slauson will all be inactive. McClellin and Ratliff are the most notable injuries from last week. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are both listed as questionable, but both are expected to play. Marshall was questionable last week, and then scored three touchdowns down in the red zone.
The Jets will likely be without starting cornerback Dee Milliner, who is listed as doubtful. Either Darrin Walls or Kyle Wilson will likely get the start in his place, which does not bode well against the Bears’ dynamic wide receivers. Jets wide receiver Eric Decker is listed as questionable. He sat out of practice on Thursday and Friday, but did get in a limited session on Saturday. Chris Johnson is listed as probable after getting limited work on Thursday and Friday. He got in a full session on Saturday, but given that Chris Ivory has been the more effective running back, New York might be better off taking it easy with Johnson.
Photo via USA TODAY Sports Images/Dennis Wierzbicki
