New York Jets Vs Chicago Bears: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against the Spread

Crashing New York Jets Will Face Chicago Bears in Frigid Soldier Field

Todd Jacobs, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 20, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

The New York Jets travel to the icy cold Soldier Field in Chicago to take on NFC North leader the Chicago Bears December 26th. This game will be a challenge for both potential NFL Playoff teams. The New York Jets have been reeling with Mark Sanchez at the helm and this game in the bitter elements of Chicago could be tough on
both.

Many said the game Mark Sanchez had against the Pittsburgh Steelers signals his maturation. We will soon see when he faces his second tough defense in the Chicago Bears. The Chicago Bears defense was strong in the elements against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football dispelling speculation they would not be a good cold weather team.

New York Jets Offense vs Chicago Bears Defense

Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets offense has been turned upside down over the last four games. The running game has been shut down over the last few games and Shonn Greene has been ineffective. LaDanian Tomlinson has also slowed down as age has caught up with him. The two did not combine for 100 yards rushing once again in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Without a decent running game the New York Jets and Mark Sanchez will have their work cut out for them.

Sanchez played error free in the game but he posted a quarterback rating of 81.1 percent. Sanchez also did not throw for a touchdown in his last New York Jets game and has not thrown a touchdown since Thanksgiving night. The 170 yards passing and no touchdowns is not a rousing statement that Sanchez is in NFL Playoff form and improvements will have to be made with this offense if they expect to avoid being one and done.

The Chicago Bears defense has been one of the best in the NFL. They have a great combination of attacking linebackers and a good mix of young and veteran defensive lineman. Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have dominated the middle of the field for the Chicago Bears and they have punished linebackers and wide receivers equally. The defensive line for the Chicago Bears has veteran Julius Peppers and an assortment of talented you lineman. The Chicago Bears defense will have the edge over the New York Jets offense.

Chicago Bears Offense vs New York Jets Defense

Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears offense is also not very good in the cold weather. This may just be an adjustment for them. They improved during the game against the Minnesota Vikings but the Minnesota Vikings secondary has been decimated by injuries. Matt Forte showed signs of life and he will need to improve over the last two games and into the NFL Playoffs.

The New York Jets defense has remained their best asset. They rank fourth in the NFL against the run, holding their opponents to 92 yards and keeping the oppositions quarterback on their heels the entire game. The New York Jets love to come off the edge with the blitz and then send their linebackers at other times. In other words, the New York Jets defense is a chameleon like defense that shows different looks on every down. The New York Jets defense has the edge over the Chicago Bears offense.

New York Jets Vs Chicago Bears -2.5: Pick Against the Spread & Breakdown

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has set the line on this game with the Chicago Bears as a 2.5 point favorite over the visiting New York Jets. The New York Jets are 5-2 against the spread on the road and 8-6 overall against the spread. The Chicago Bears are 3-4 against the spread on their home field and 7-6-1 overall against the spread. Take the Chicago Bears -2.5 over the New York Jets.