The Chicago Bears have a concerning quarterback situation, except it’s not for the usual reasons. Justin Fields has established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL. He’s been playing at a Pro Bowl pace for the past six games. Unfortunately, he’s dealing with an AC joint injury in his left shoulder. That leaves his status for the game on Sunday in doubt. Thankfully the Bears aren’t the New York Jets. They, too, have a quarterback problem to worry about. Only this one is more complicated.
Former #2 overall pick Zach Wilson has played lots of bad football over the past month. It reached a crisis point against New England last week, with the offense generating only three points. Wilson made it even worse after the game when he refused to take responsibility for his poor play. That was the last straw for head coach Robert Saleh. Wilson has been benched. Yet somehow, the strangeness went up another notch when it was announced Mike White, not longtime veteran Joe Flacco, would start the game against the Bears.
The Chicago Bears may have a shot this weekend.
New York has the superior roster. That much is evident from their excellent defense and solid supporting cast on offense. Yet to go with White is beyond puzzling. He started three games last year, completing 68% of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions. He has no scrambling ability to speak of either. Flacco is a former Super Bowl MVP with loads of experience and played pretty well at times earlier this season. He threw four touchdowns in a big win over Cleveland. While he’s not the player he once was, it’s hard to understand how White is the better option.
Maybe they don’t fear the Chicago Bears defense. That is honestly fair. The unit has no pass rush, and their secondary is banged up with Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon nursing concussions. If Fields doesn’t play, there is a real chance the Bears will get shut out with Trevor Siemian at quarterback. Then again, New York does have a bad habit of playing down to their competition. This game could end up going in some unexpected directions. History says it will be close and will probably be ugly too.
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Most of the lines are 39.5. Id bet the under.