NFLBALLS

A Chicago Bears vs New York Jets game doesn’t come around often. Different conferences, different divisions, and only 13 meetings since 1974. This week the two franchises meet again on Sunday, October 4, 2026, in NFL Week 4 2026, with kickoff set for noon CT (1:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. BST, 10:30 p.m. IST) at Soldier Field in Chicago. FOX has the broadcast, and Chicago is the home team.

The Bears walk in at 2-1 after a 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, but the quarterback situation is still open. Caleb Williams has been ruled out with a right hamstring injury for the second week in a row, and head coach Ben Johnson has not said whether Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum will start. The Jets are 1-2, with a road win at Tennessee and two close losses, 20-17 in overtime to Green Bay and 31-24 at Detroit. Geno Smith leads the NFL in completion percentage and has not thrown an interception. The Bears are 3.5-point favorites, which tells you the market sees Chicago as the better team, though not by much.

So here’s everything that matters heading into kickoff: where each team stands right now, the complete head-to-head history, a Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats snapshot, the betting numbers, a coaching comparison, where to watch, and a full preview of the other big Sunday game on the slate, the Texans vs Cowboys matchup in Houston. Whether you follow Chicago Bears games every week or only tune in for the New York Jets game on Sunday, this one has real stakes for both sides.

Chicago Bears: Winning With the Run Game and a Next-Man-Up Mentality

Chicago finished 2025 at 11-6 and won the NFC North. The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in the Wild Card round before losing 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional round. That was Ben Johnson’s first year as head coach, with Ryan Poles as general manager. The 2026 season is about proving that jump was real, and so far the Chicago Bears standings picture at 2-1 says it might be.

The first three weeks have had three very different chapters. In Week 1, the Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37 in Charlotte, the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history with 96 total points. Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more, and D’Andre Swift ran for 124 yards and three scores. In Week 2, Chicago lost 9-3 to the Minnesota Vikings on September 20, the game in which Williams hurt his hamstring. Bagent replaced him and later landed in concussion protocol.

Then came Week 3. Third-string quarterback Case Keenum, making his first start in almost three years, went 24 of 34 for 247 yards and two touchdowns and added a 1-yard rushing score in the 27-7 win over the Eagles. The defense forced three takeaways, held Philadelphia to 248 total yards and allowed just 2 of 9 on third down. Chicago has now held back-to-back opponents under 10 points for the first time since 2012.

What Makes Chicago’s Team Tick

• The ground game. The Bears lead the NFL in rushing at 184.3 yards per game and 5.27 yards per carry. Swift and Kyle Monangai, who ran for 100 yards on just 10 carries in Week 1, give Johnson a one-two punch.
• Quarterback depth. Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, is week-to-week. Bagent has cleared concussion protocol and, according to NFL Network, is expected to start over Keenum, who is 38. Johnson’s only public comment was that the team will find out on Sunday.
• A flexible receiver group. Keenum spread the ball around against Philadelphia. Kalif Raymond caught six passes for 90 yards and a 41-yard touchdown, and Luther Burden III scored on an 8-yard shovel pass. Tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland are also in the mix.
• One concern. The Bears rank 28th in yards per play allowed at 6.08, a number inflated by the 478 yards Carolina put up in Week 1. Left tackle Braxton Jones also left the Eagles game with a knee injury.

Chicago Bears Snapshot

Detail	Chicago Bears
Division	NFC North
Head coach	Ben Johnson (2nd season)
GM	Ryan Poles
Starting QB this week	Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum (Williams out)
2025 record	11-6 (NFC North champions)
Identity	Run-first offense, opportunistic defense
Recent form	2-1 to start 2026; beat Eagles 27-7
2026 season start	Beat Panthers 59-37 (Wk 1), lost to Vikings 9-3 (Wk 2), beat Eagles 27-7 (Wk 3)

Looking at Chicago Bears games so far this season, the story is one of range. A 59-point shootout, a 9-3 grind in the rain, and a clean prime-time win behind a third-string quarterback. The only blemish in the Chicago Bears standings came inside the division, against Minnesota, and the team has been scoring 29.7 points per game overall. The Chicago Bears players who need to step up this week are easy to name: whoever plays quarterback has to protect the ball, and the offensive line has to keep the run game rolling without a healthy Jones on the left side. In Chicago Bears games so far, the defense has forced seven takeaways, and that ball-hawking matters more than ever with a backup under center. Among Chicago Bears players, Swift has been the steadiest, with three rushing touchdowns in the opener alone.

New York Jets: A Quick Turnaround Under Aaron Glenn

New York spent 2025 at the bottom of the AFC East, finishing 3-14. The 2026 reset has been aggressive. Head coach Aaron Glenn is in his second season, Frank Reich is the offensive coordinator, and Geno Smith is back with the franchise after a decade away. Rookies are playing early too, led by edge rusher David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

The season opened with a 23-10 road win over the Tennessee Titans on September 13. The Jets held Tennessee to 195 total yards, and Breece Hall finished a long drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Week 2 was a heartbreaker at home. New York led Green Bay 17-7 early in the fourth quarter but lost 20-17 in overtime, with Smith sacked four times. Then came Week 3 in Detroit, where the Jets fell 31-24 despite a 14-point rally from Smith, who threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 83.8% accuracy with no interceptions. He was sacked and fumbled on the final drive.

What Makes New York’s Offense Tick

• Geno Smith. He leads the NFL at 75.5% completions, has 783 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, and his 110 passer rating is the highest by a Jets quarterback through three games in franchise history. Against single-high coverage, which Chicago uses on roughly 60% of dropbacks, he has completed 88.9% of his passes.
• Garrett Wilson and Kenyon Sadiq. Wilson has 21 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 3, Wilson (10 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD) and Sadiq (7-105-1) became just the third receiver-tight end pair in team history with 100 yards and a touchdown in the same game.
• A committee backfield. Hall has 163 rushing yards and 102 receiving yards, and Braelon Allen has 61 rushing yards and a touchdown as the backup.
• A thin receiver room. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. is out, Adonai Mitchell (finger) and tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) are week-to-week.
• A top-two defense by yards. The Jets allow 258.3 yards per game, second in the NFL, with the third-ranked pass defense and a third-down defense that has allowed just 32.3% conversions. Bailey has two sacks, Kingsley Enagbare has two, and Demario Davis leads the team with 22 tackles. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is set to return.

New York Jets Snapshot

Detail	New York Jets
Division	AFC East
Head coach	Aaron Glenn (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Frank Reich
Starting QB this week	Geno Smith
2025 record	3-14
Identity	Efficient veteran quarterback, young pass rush, tight defense
Recent form	1-2 to start 2026; two losses by a combined 10 points
2026 season start	Beat Titans 23-10 (Wk 1), lost to Packers 20-17 in OT (Wk 2), lost at Lions 31-24 (Wk 3)

The Jets are 1-2 and second in the AFC East, and for a team that won three games last year, being competitive against Green Bay and Detroit counts as progress. There are still gaps. The defense has not yet recorded an interception this season, and the rushing offense ranks 26th. The New York Jets players who matter most this week are Smith, Wilson, Sadiq, Hall, Bailey and Davis, and Hall did not practice Wednesday, so Friday’s final injury report is worth checking. Several New York Jets players are banged up, which makes depth a real test, and the New York Jets schedule through the first month has been demanding, with three of four games on the road.

NFL Schedule This Week: Week 4 at Soldier Field

Sunday’s game is one of the main afternoon games in NFL Week 4 2026. Soldier Field sits on the Chicago lakefront, opened in 1924, has been the Bears’ home since 1971 and holds about 61,500 fans on a natural grass surface. The forecast calls for a clear sky and a light breeze, so weather should not be a major factor.

This is the Jets’ third road game in the first four weeks, which makes it a tough stretch. The New York Jets schedule gets friendlier right after this: they host the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 and then travel to New England in Week 6. The Chicago Bears schedule stays busy too, with a Week 5 meeting against the Green Bay Packers on October 11.

Team	Next Matchup	Date
Chicago Bears	vs. Green Bay Packers (Wk 5)	Oct 11
New York Jets	vs. Cleveland Browns (Wk 5)	Oct 11

Later on, the Chicago Bears schedule includes a November 26 game against Detroit and a rematch with Minnesota in January. The Texans vs Cowboys 2026 game kicks off at the same time as this one, so the two games will compete for attention on Sunday afternoon. For the Jets, the road gets tougher with trips to Kansas City in Week 9 and Los Angeles in Week 11, a Week 12 trip to Miami, and a bye in Week 13. Both teams will look back at this result for different reasons. Chicago wants to show the Eagles win was no fluke and that the team can win without Williams. New York wants to prove its close losses can turn into wins.

Head-to-Head History: The Full Timeline

The Chicago Bears vs New York Jets series dates back to 1974, and Chicago holds a 9-4 edge across 13 meetings. The Jets have won only four times, and two of those wins came at Soldier Field.

Date	Winner	Location	Score	Notes
11/27/2022	Jets	East Rutherford	31-10	Mike White throws for 315 yards and three TDs; Wilson scores twice
12/26/2010	Bears	Chicago	38-34	Highest-scoring meeting; Cutler throws three third-quarter TDs
11/26/2000	Jets	East Rutherford	17-10	Jets win by seven
11/16/1997	Jets	Chicago	23-15	Jets win by eight at Soldier Field
09/22/1974	Jets	Chicago	23-21	First meeting in series; Jets win by two

The Bears lead the all-time series 9-4, and the Jets’ 2022 win ended what had been a five-game losing streak against Chicago. Every New York Jets vs Chicago Bears meeting has come in the regular season, since the teams play in different conferences and have never met in the playoffs.

A Few Things Worth Pointing Out

• Nearly four full seasons of roster turnover have happened since 2022. Wilson, who scored twice in that game, is still New York’s top receiver.
• Johnson and Glenn have history. Johnson was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2021 to 2024, and Glenn was the defensive coordinator on the same staff under Dan Campbell.
• Chicago’s 2010 win remains the highest-scoring game between the two teams, with Cutler throwing touchdowns of 40, 25 and 26 yards in the third quarter.

The Last Chicago Bears vs New York Jets Result (Nov. 27, 2022)

The Jets beat Chicago 31-10 at MetLife Stadium behind Mike White’s 315 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Wilson scoring twice and Elijah Moore once. Byron Pringle caught the Bears’ only touchdown, with Trevor Siemian at quarterback and Matt Eberflus coaching Chicago.

Where Both Teams Stand Entering Sunday’s Game

Three weeks into the season, the gap between these teams is narrower than the standings suggest. Chicago is 2-1 and New York is 1-2, but both defenses are strong and both offenses depend on one clear strength. The Bears run the ball. The Jets throw it. For anyone looking at the Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats, the key battle is Smith’s accuracy against a defense that blitzes more than almost anyone and then forces turnovers.

Stat	Chicago Bears	New York Jets
Record	2-1	1-2
Points Per Game*	29.7	21.3
Points Allowed Per Game*	17.7	20.3
Rushing offense	184.3 yards per game (1st)	26th
Defense	6.08 yards per play allowed (28th)	258.3 yards per game allowed (2nd)
Starting QB	Bagent or Keenum (Keenum: 24/34, 247 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT in Wk 3)	Smith: 75.5%, 783 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT
Takeaways	7 on the season	0 interceptions
Current Betting Line	Bears -3.5 (-102)	Jets +3.5 (-120)

*Calculated from game scores: Chicago scored 59, 3 and 27 and allowed 37, 9 and 7; New York scored 23, 17 and 24 and allowed 10, 20 and 31.

New York Jets vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats

Smith’s numbers are the biggest swing factor in this Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats breakdown. Chicago’s defense lines up in single-high coverage on about 60% of dropbacks, the eighth-highest rate in the league, and Smith leads the league against that look with 10.3 yards per attempt. On the other side, the Bears blitz at the second-highest rate in the NFL, while the Jets blitz only 33.6% of the time, which ranks 25th. If Chicago’s pressure gets home, as it did against Hurts, Smith will have a harder time than he did in Detroit.

The same Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats picture applies to the running game. The Bears average more than 184 yards on the ground, while the Jets rank seventh in rushing yards allowed per game but give up 4.2 yards per carry, which ranks 18th. Swift and Monangai will test that gap. Chicago’s quarterback, whether Bagent or Keenum, can lean on the run and pick his spots against a pass defense that ranks third in the league.

The Chicago Bears players to watch are Swift, Monangai, Burden, Raymond, Jarrett and Sweat. The New York Jets players to watch are Smith, Wilson, Sadiq, Hall, Bailey and Fitzpatrick. If the Jets defense gets its first interception of the year, it could change the game, because Keenum threw no interceptions against Philadelphia and Chicago will want to keep that streak alive.

Coaching Matchup: Johnson vs. Glenn

Both head coaches are in their second season and both know each other well, which adds a layer to this New York Jets vs Chicago Bears game. Johnson is trying to keep a 2-1 start going through an injury at the most important position, while Glenn is trying to turn competitive losses into a winning record.

Factor	Chicago (Johnson)	New York (Glenn)
Experience level	2nd season with Chicago	2nd season with New York
Coaching background	Lions OC, 2021-24	Lions DC under Dan Campbell
Key coordinator	DC Dennis Allen	OC Frank Reich
2025 result	11-6, NFC North champions	3-14
Quarterback situation	Williams out; Bagent or Keenum	Geno Smith, healthy and hot
Program status	Contender trying to stay steady	Rebuild ahead of schedule

Betting Angle: What the Odds Say

As of Friday and Saturday listings, the Bears are 3.5-point favorites at -102, with the Jets at +3.5 (-120). The moneyline has Chicago at -173 and New York at +145, and the Chicago Bears vs New York Jets total sits at 43 points. That is a low number by NFL standards, and it reflects two defenses that rank among the better ones in the league.

The 3.5 spread is a half-point above the key number of three, so a field goal margin would favor the Jets backers. New York has lost its two games by a combined 10 points. Home-field advantage at Soldier Field usually accounts for roughly two to three points, which suggests the market sees Chicago as only a slightly better team even with Williams out. If the Bears name a starter late and the line moves, that is worth watching, so check the number again before the New York Jets game today kicks off.

Anyone leaning on Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats before placing a bet should weigh Smith’s turnover-free start and Chicago’s rushing numbers heavily, since those two facts shape almost every other matchup.

Prediction: Chicago Bears vs New York Jets

Both teams have real strengths, and both lost close games they could have won. The Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats lean toward Chicago on the ground and toward New York through the air, and that split is why this New York Jets vs Chicago Bears game looks so close. My projection is a tight, low-scoring game that Chicago edges, Bears 23, Jets 20. The Bears’ ground game and home crowd give them a dependable floor, while the Jets’ defense and Smith’s accuracy keep this inside one score. This is analysis, not betting advice, so check the final injury report and the quarterback announcement before kickoff.

Texans vs Cowboys: The Other Big Week 4 Game

The second game worth circling on Sunday is Texans vs Cowboys at NRG Stadium in Houston, a Lone Star State matchup that carries real urgency. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:30 p.m. IST) on FOX, with Kenny Albert, Greg Olsen and Pam Oliver on the call. Houston is 0-3 and Dallas is 1-2, so this Texans vs Cowboys 2026 meeting feels close to a must-win for both teams. The Texans vs Cowboys game is also the Texans’ 25th season celebration, with franchise legends returning.

Cowboys: Reeling From Rio, Reloaded With Porter

Dallas opened the season with a 28-20 loss at the New York Giants, bounced back with a 37-20 home win over the Washington Commanders, and then lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro on a late field goal. On the flight home, the team traded with Pittsburgh for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Dak Prescott has 730 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception through three games, with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as his main targets. The defense is the problem: it allows 6.0 yards per play, ranks last in EPA per play and gives up 179.7 rushing yards per game. Brian Schottenheimer’s team has been strong on offense and shaky on defense.

Texans: Close Losses and a Struggling Offense

Houston lost 36-31 to Buffalo, 20-6 to Cincinnati and 19-17 at Indianapolis, so its three defeats came by 5, 14 and 2 points. C.J. Stroud has 794 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, but he has been sacked 10 times and the team has scored only 54 points, which ranks near the bottom of the league. Will Anderson Jr. leads a pass rush with 11 team sacks and four of his own. Dalton Schultz leads the receivers with 205 yards, and the Texans hope Nico Collins and guard Ed Ingram can return. Houston started 0-3 last year too and still made the playoffs, but no team in NFL history has made the playoffs after starting 0-3 in back-to-back seasons.

Cowboys vs Texans: History and Numbers

The Cowboys vs Texans series is short. The teams have met seven times, with Dallas leading 4-3, and wins have alternated since 2014. The Texans won the most recent game 34-10 at AT&T Stadium in 2024. In Houston, Dallas is 1-2: Texans 19-10 in 2002, Cowboys 27-13 in 2010 and Texans 19-16 in overtime in 2018. Prescott has a 31.2 total QBR in two career starts against Houston, one of his lowest against any opponent.

The market has Houston as a small home favorite. The line opened at Texans -2.5 and moved to -3 (-110) even though Dallas drew about 83% of tickets. The moneyline is Texans -162 and Cowboys +136, and the Cowboys vs Texans total is 48.5. Houston is 0-3 against the spread, while the over is 3-0 in Dallas games. My Texans vs Cowboys projection is Cowboys 27, Texans 24, because Dallas’ offense should score and Houston’s offense has not been consistent enough to keep up. That is analysis, not betting advice.

Where to Watch Chicago Bears vs New York Jets

If you’re wondering where to watch Chicago Bears vs New York Jets, here is the full breakdown.

• Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
• Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. BST / 10:30 p.m. IST
• Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
• Broadcast (U.S.): FOX (regional coverage, so check local listings)
• Streaming (U.S.): NFL+
• Outside the U.S. and China: DAZN, for NFL Game Pass subscribers
• Highlights: NFL.com and the league’s social channels post recaps within minutes of the final whistle

That covers where to watch Chicago Bears vs New York Jets whether you’re in Chicago, New York or following from another time zone. If you’re searching for the New York Jets game today, the answer is simple: noon CT on FOX, with the same kickoff time as the Texans vs Cowboys game in Houston. Fans in India will need to stay up late, so replays and highlights will be popular. Full box scores and Chicago Bears vs New York Jets match player stats update on NFL.com and ESPN once the game ends, and short clips of Smith and Wilson usually spread quickly on the league’s social channels.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Chicago’s season now depends on how well it handles the quarterback position until Williams returns. The Chicago Bears schedule brings Green Bay in Week 5, and a win over the Jets would put them at 3-1 with real momentum heading into a divisional game. A loss would make the Vikings defeat feel more costly in the Chicago Bears standings.

New York’s goals are more immediate: finish games, create a turnover and keep Smith upright. The New York Jets schedule offers a home game against Cleveland in Week 5 and then a visit to New England. A win in this Chicago Bears vs New York Jets game would give them a 2-2 record and a boost, while a loss would leave them 1-3 despite playing three competitive games. However the New York Jets game today turns out, it will shape how both teams are viewed heading into October. Given how rarely these franchises share a field, highlights from this one will likely stick around longer than a typical NFL Week 4 2026 game.

Dallas and Houston have a quicker turnaround to think about. After Texans vs Cowboys, the Cowboys return home for a Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 8 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. A Texans vs Cowboys 2026 win would give Houston its first victory of the season and take pressure off Stroud and the offense, while a Dallas win would put the Cowboys at 2-2 before that short week.

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