Last week, the Chicago Bears waited until the fourth quarter to put everything together. Monday night, Chicago came out firing right away and had to hold on as things got tight late.
Bears vs. Jets 2014 final score: 3 things we learned in the Bears’ 27-19 victory
The Jets were sloppy and couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities, as the Bears did just enough to win on the road Monday night.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Capitalizing on a number of early New York Jets miscues, the Bears dispatched the Jets 27-19 as Jay Cutler improved to 7-1 as Chicago's quarterback on Monday Night Football.
The Bears (2-1) didn’t blow the Jets’ (1-2) doors off, and New York was able to move the ball on Chicago, especially as the Bears’ defense was once again decimated by injuries. The Bears simply took advantage of the opportunities the Jets gave them by scoring touchdowns, and that wound end up being the difference.
New York had a chance on its last drive, taking the ball to the Bears’ 9-yard line, but Chicago’s pieced-together defense held up.
1) The Bears' injuries continue to mount, but Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall prove just how tough they are. Though both are dealing with injuries, the Bears' wide receivers continue to play through pain. Jeffery (hamstring) was targeted often Monday night, and was able to catch eight passes for 105 yards.
Marshall actually left in the second quarter when he aggravated his right ankle injury, but returned in the second half and caught a touchdown pass that was called back by a Bears penalty.
Meanwhile, the Bears’ defense is nearly being stripped away completely, and it’s something a better offense is going to exploit sooner or later. Right?
2) Geno Smith is still learning -- and struggling. The Jets quarterback has certainly improved, but he still has a ways to go in his development as a franchise player. Especially when it comes to his in-game consistency.
Example: Smith threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the Jets’ first drive.
Already trailing 14-0 in the first, Smith held the ball way too long in the red zone and was sacked, putting the Jets in a 3rd-and-22 situation, forcing New York to eventually settle for a field goal (something it would do often Monday night).
Smith settled down as the game went on and had the Jets driving to score in the third, down 24-13. He was injured again, though, as he threw another ill-timed interception in the end zone.
Even as the Jets moved down the field on their last drive, Smith couldn’t find a way to connect with his receivers deep in the Bears’ zone for a chance to tie.
3) The Jets beat themselves -- again. A week after one of the most ill-timed timeouts in recent memory, the Jets were a sloppy mess against the Bears. In addition to Smith’s early interception, a muffed punt, questionable red-zone play calling and multiple penalties gave Chicago plenty of chances.
Though the Bears didn’t necessarily play their best football either, it would’ve been nearly impossible for them not to score with all of the pristine chances the Jets were affording them, even as the Jets’ defense buckled down in the second half.
The referees didn’t do the Jets any favors, either. Late in the second quarter and down 17-13, Cutler was sacked and fumbled the ball, which the Jets would have returned for a touchdown if the play wasn’t blown dead. After a review, New York gained possession, but couldn’t capitalize.
Of course, this might be the saddest thing of the night for the Jets:
They all missed. pic.twitter.com/j12CQXiOyW
— Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) September 22, 2014 Injuries
Bears
Safety Ryan Mundy, who returned the Geno Smith interception for the first-quarter touchdown, left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, but was able to walk off under his own power. Chris Conte, who came in for Mundy, left later in the third with a left shoulder injury of his own. And then, late in the fourth quarter, safety fill-in Danny McCray was shaken up on a play, but returned.
Fullback Tony Fiammetta also left with a hamstring injury.
Jets
Wide receiver Eric Decker aggravated his hamstring injury and did not return. It was a surprise to some that Decker was active for Monday night's game in the first place. He finished with one catch for 19 yards.
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson left in the fourth quarter with an apparent knee injury after colliding with teammate Calvin Pace on a sack.
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