All week long, New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini said turnovers would be critical in his team’s match-up with the Chicago Bears. And despite another tenacious performance, the Jets couldn’t overcome their -2 turnover differential against the NFC’s best team Sunday and were shutout 10-0 at the Meadowlands.

Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman, who was completely out of rhythm in the first half, put the game away with the running help of receiver Mark Bradley as the two combined for a 57-yard scoring touchdown. That score cemented the lead for the now 9-1 Bears after a third quarter Robbie Gould field goal gave Chicago the game’s first points.

Gould’s 20-yard kick put an end to 34-plus minutes of 0-0 action. The chip shot followed an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Jets to start the third quarter. In an effort to catch the opposition napping, Mike Nugent faked his normal routine and swung around for a quick kick. The Bears didn’t buy it and Chris Harris recovered for the Bears at the New York 44-yard line.

“We went for the onside kick because we had been practicing it for quite a few weeks,” Mangini said. “It looked good and we felt this was our best opportunity. I really liked the play, liked the situation, and liked the call.”

Thomas Jones then ran on seven consecutive plays for 42 yards before the Jets closed the door with their backs to the end zone.  Jones totaled 121 yards on the ground and the Bears rushed for 173 yards.

“We know they are an inside running team,” said defensive end Shaun Ellis. “Thomas Jones had a good game. He was cutting it back and hitting the holes.”

The Jets appeared prepared to answer, but Chad Pennington was picked off for a second time in Bears’ territory. Pennington, who collided with rookie runner Leon Washington on his dropback and pressured by lineman Alex Brown, overthrew Chris Baker on a high pass and corner Nathan Vasher intercepted for the Bears.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Jets watched their deficit grow to 10. It was innocent looking enough – just a simple seven or eight-yard curl route from Bradley. Rookie corner Drew Coleman stumbled after the reception though and the Oklahoma alum zoomed to the end zone for the crushing 57-yard score. There was no safety help and the Bears made the Jets pay on the blitz. 

“The margin for error against a really good team is small, so one missed tackle that converts like that on a pressure can be the difference,” Mangini said.

The Bears entered Sunday’s contest with the top-ranked defense, but the 31^st ranked Jets were out to prove they had a pretty good unit themselves. Over the first 30 minutes of action at the Meadowlands, nobody scored even though the Green & White got the better of the action.

Following a first quarter which saw each team punt twice, the Jets were poised to take the lead after reaching the Bears’ six-yard line. But then on third down, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, the NFL’s reigning Defensive MVP, picked off a Pennington pass in the end zone. Pennington locked in on tight end Chris Baker and Urlacher simply read his eyes and stepped in for the critical takeaway. It was the Bears’ league-leading 28^th takeaway of the season and Pennington’s second red zone interception of his career.

Later in the second quarter, New York’s AFC representative fell victim to a replay review and subsequent reversal. Linebacker Victor Hobson stripped running back Thomas Jones of the ball at the end of a 17-yard run and safety Kerry Rhodes recovered for the home team at the Chicago 35-yard line. But a lengthy review ensued and officials ruled Jones’ knee had touched the ground before he released the ball.

Almost all of the halftime statistics tilted towards the Jets’ side of the ledger. Mangini’s club held the ball for more than 19 minutes and practically doubled the Bears in both yardage output (156-80) and first downs (8-3). But the Meadowlands’ scoreboard operator wasn’t busy due to the second scoreless half of the NFL season. There were nine combined punts in the first two quarters.

“We came in knowing they were a great seven and they proved it today," said rookie center Nick Mangold of the Bears.  "They are really a great defense all the way around."

The Jets are now 5-5 and trail the Patriots (7-3) by two games in the AFC East. Next Sunday, the Green & White will complete their two-game homestand against the Houston Texans. Entering Sunday, the combined record of the Jets remaining opponents was 19-35.

"We still have a lot of games to play,” said defensive lineman Bryan Thomas. “We are going to continue to fight and work hard to win these games.”

Notebook

Second-year running back Cedric Houston was activated Sunday and he made the most of his opportunity, running hard for 50 yards on 11 attempts. Houston was the Jets’ leading rusher.  "Cedric has had some real good weeks of practice. We had all three running backs up because we were committed to running the football today," Mangini said...  Safety Kerry Rhodes continues to play exceptionally well. Rhodes led the team with eight sold tackles including a second quarter sack of Grossman… Veteran wideout Tim Dwight ran a reverse for 28 yards on the Jets’ opening possession. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer took advantage of Chicago’s aggressiveness as Alex Brown over-pursued and Dwight had a big hole after accepting a handoff from Leon Washington. It was the Green & White’s longest run of the season… The Jets hurry-up mode may have gotten to defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Harris was forced to leave the field to reportedly receive an IV…Both of the Jets’ rookie linemen – left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold – were flagged for false start infractions Sunday… Chicago corner Charles Tillman absorbed a vicious helmet-to- helmet blow from safety Todd Johnson when the defenders converged on running back Leon Washington. Tillman returned to action in the second quarter… Laveranues Coles led the Jets in receiving, catching eight balls from Pennington for 80 yards… The Jets totaled 264 yards on offense - the Bears haven’t allowed more than 300 yards all season.

Final Game Stats

Post-Game Notes

Gameday Gallery