The Bears beat the Jets 23-12. Here is the bulletin:
QUARTERBACK – C-PLUS
You have to feel for Tyson Bagent, who can’t buy a start in the NFL. OK, fine, so he took over the offense on the second snap and – well? – it wasn’t bad. Pass completions (25 for 34) and yards (268) look great, but Bagent hasn’t played as well as No. 3 Case Keenum did last week against the Eagles. He threw behind Colston Loveland and was picked off by a Jets defense that, incredibly, hadn’t intercepted a pass since the end of the 2024 season, and was lucky to escape with just one turnover. He led Rome Odunze into a drive on a short completion and was checked by a running back when he allowed Luther Burden to run free down the sideline, uncovered. And no passing TD is anything to write home about.
RUNNING BACK – A-MINUS
Shouldn’t every seventh-round pick be as exceptional as Kyle Monangai? A day of 30 portages – 30! – for 146 yards and two touchdowns, he solidifies the second-year back as one of the best second bananas in the NFL. After starter D’Andre Swift lost his second fumble of the season in Bears territory, Monangai’s services were called upon again and again and, boy, was he good. A shot of the beer helmet to Roschon Johnson, who actually had four carries and won the first one from 11 yards.
RECEIVERS — B-PLUS
Who said Odunze didn’t catch everything that came his way? He made a 37-yard gain on a post route and made a nice one-handed gain. Burden started hot, although it didn’t last, and tight end Colston Loveland came into the picture with six catches. As always: these wideouts and tight ends block in the running game.
OFFENSIVE LINE – AT-MINUS
Swift not getting into the end zone on fourth and goal from the 1 will sting. It was early, though, and the wall of beef was just starting to warm up. Bagent got lit on a sack – the only one of those – but it was Swift who sniffed out a blitzing linebacker. A 232-yard rushing day made everyone happy.
DEFENSE — A
Until Tyrique Stevenson was grilled for a 58-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Jets had six first downs and 99 yards of offense. However, this game cost the “D” a chance to hold a third consecutive opponent to less than 10 points. Three sacks – including one on a perfectly timed blitz by linebacker Devin Bush – will work almost any week. Even with Stevenson’s poor play, it was an A-game.
COACHING — ONE
It was strange when Ben Johnson called for a vanilla run on third-and-6 from inside the red zone, then went for a field goal on fourth-and-2. Where is our favorite riverboat player? On the other hand, Johnson knew the guys wearing the other jersey were called the New York Jets. No need to mess around. Here’s how to win with three different QBs in one month. And here’s to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for a third consecutive good one.
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