Some teams 'talk' about establishing the run. Ben Johnson's Bears actually hand off the football 54 times ...in a one-sided win over the Jets at Soldier Field, 23-12.
"We all know that we're going to run the football. We know it. The other team knows it. People watching at home and here at the stadium know it." Running back Kyle Monangai says.
"I think that just goes to show the testament that we put the time in to still stick to what we know we're going to do, and say 'you've got to come stop us'."
Monangai heard his number called a whopping 30 times, and toted the ball for 146 yards and two touchdowns. By the end of the day Monangai had a right thumb injury that needed attention and will be reevaluated at Halas Hall Monday. D'Andre Swift added 58 yards rushing but sat out a lot of the second half after his second fumble of the year, plus he's been resting a sore knee.3rd string runner Roschon Johnson tacked on 16 yards on the ground.
The Bears out-rushed the Jets, 232 yards to 59!
Even with another backup quarterback, Tyson Bagent taking the snaps, the Bears offense dominated in all categories. First downs; 34-7 (Jets ran only 32 plays). Total yards; 492-157. Rushing yards; 232-59. Time of possession; 42:45 - 17:15.For the first time in 12 seasons the Bears did not have to attempt a single punt.
"It meant a lot. I thought the guys rallied behind me. I felt extreme faith from the coaches towards me." Bagent says.
"That's just a hats off to all the hard work that's been put in. So I was really appreciative of that. And it allowed me to go spin it (the ball) at a higher level. All hands on deck. It's a group effort to get these wins."
Bagent 25/34, 268 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception ...sacked once ...QB Rating 83.9 ...led a game-sealing 18 play, 77 yard drive after NY got within 11 in the 4th quarter.Bagent was filling in for injured Caleb Williams (hamstring), with Case Keenum backing up (after his winning performance vs the Eagles less than a week earlier).
Cairo Santos kicked three easy field goals, from 21, 30 and 30 yards.
Rome Odunze (6 receptions) and Luther Burden (4) averaged nearly 16 yards per catch.
The Bears defense has allowed only 2 TD's (28 points total) in the last three games. Three Bears dropped Jets QB Geno Smith for sacks; Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker and Devin Bush.
"It's kind of wild. It was probably one of the easiest NFL games I've ever played in." Says linebacker Devin Bush, an eight year veteran in his first season with the Bears, who's played in 102 career games.
"I'm not sore at all. It's great"
While the Bears offense held the ball for 42:45, Bush and the "D" saw the field for just 17:15.
With a backup quarterback and backup running back in sync with an upstart Bears defense, Ben Johnson's Bears embarrassed the Jets for their second win in a row and improve to 3-1.
"We've got tremendous depth throughout this roster." Johnson says
"There's competition every single week to see who's active and who's inactive. We know we have a lot of talent throughout this roster from the front to the back end. We always know that we're going to have a chance each and every week."
Johnson is likely to stick with Bagent at QB leading into the Packers game in Green Bay Sunday at Noon, unless Williams can make a quicker than expected return from a hamstring strain.
The Bears are an early two-and-a-half point favorite at Lambeau Field, where they lost last season, 28-21 when Williams healthy but out-played by Packers QB Jordan Love.
