New York Jets @ Chicago Bears
Kyle Monangai scores 2 TDs as the Chicago Bears beat the New York Jets 23-12
CHICAGO -- — The Chicago Bears kept handing the ball to Kyle Monangai and the New York Jets had precious little time to respond.
It was that kind of day.
Monangai rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, and Chicago stuffed New York for a 23-12 victory on Sunday.
“Shout out to the offensive line, the running backs, the whole offensive crew as well as the defense as well for having a great day,” wide receiver Rome Odunze said.
Devin Bush, Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo each had a sack as Chicago limited New York to seven first downs and 157 yards overall. The Bears have allowed a total of 28 points in three games since their wild 59-37 victory at Carolina in their season opener.
“I thought those guys all stood out,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “It was another one of those days where it’s hard to single out any particular guy. I just thought everyone played really good football on that side.”
Chicago (3-1) had 34 first downs and ran 89 plays while possessing the ball for almost 43 minutes. The Bears also did not punt in a game for the first time since 2014.
New York (1-3) went 0 for 7 on third down and ran a total of 32 plays.
“We’ve got to execute and do whatever we can to keep our defense off the field,” Jets quarterback Geno Smith said. "That’s a part of playing complementary football. I think we can do a lot better job in that area.”
It was the first time an NFL team had more first downs than its opponent had offensive plays since Pittsburgh's 43-0 victory over Cleveland on Sept. 12, 1999. It also was the first time since 1997 that the Bears held their opponent without a third-down conversion.
“We have to do a better job of complementing each other and that did not show up today at all,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “When you have the discrepancy of 89 plays and 32 plays, it’s something we have to look at and something we have to continue to work on. That’s the only thing we can do is continue to work.”
Tyson Bagent passed for a career-high 268 yards for Chicago and Cairo Santos kicked three field goals. Odunze had six receptions for 94 yards.
Minkah Fitzpatrick stopped New York's NFL-record interception drought at 20 games, but the Jets dropped their third consecutive game since their season-opening win at Tennessee.
Smith found Isaiah Williams for a 58-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, trimming New York's deficit to 23-12 with 9:16 left. It was Williams' first TD in his 27th career game.
But Jason Sanders missed the ensuing extra point and Chicago ran out the clock with an 18-play, 77-yard drive.
“Toward the end of the game, if they don’t want to be out there anymore, you just keep running at them,” Monangai said, “running at them, 4-yard gain, 4-yard gain, 20-yarder come out of nowhere, big play in the passing game, and then 4-yard gain, 4-yard gain, it gets tiring. So you definitely feel it.”
Monangai finished with 30 carries. He was dealing with a thumb injury at the end of the game and he said he will know more about it Monday.
Bagent was 25 for 34 while subbing for Caleb Williams, who missed his second straight game because of a right hamstring injury. Case Keenum started Monday night's 27-7 win over Philadelphia, passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
Keenum was behind center for Chicago's first play against New York and Bagent was split out wide. Keenum pitched the ball to D’Andre Swift for a 2-yard gain before Bagent took over at QB.
“I got all these memos saying that Tyson was starting before I ever made an announcement so I wanted to get Case out there the first time,” Johnson said. “It was like a ceremonial first pitch out there, handing off the torch.”
Chicago turned the ball over on downs at the New York 1 on its first drive. But Monangai's 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal gave the Bears a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Bears opened a 20-6 lead on Monangai's 5-yard touchdown with 2:26 left in the third.
“No flinch from him,” Bagent said. “He’s been outstanding ever since he got here. Does the right thing.”
Fitzpatrick stepped in front of Colston Loveland and picked off a pass by Bagent in the second quarter for New York's first interception since Ashtyn Davis had two against Miami in the 2024 season finale. But the Jets had three more interceptions taken off the board because of penalties.
Jets: Edge rusher Braiden McGregor departed with a chest injury. ... Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. departed with a concussion.
Jets: Host Cleveland next Sunday.
Bears: At Green Bay next Sunday.
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