Monangai’s two touchdowns lead Bears past Jets, 23–12

Kyle Monangai rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, and Chicago controlled possession for more than 42 minutes in a 23–12 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bears improved to 3–1 behind a running game that produced 232 yards and a defense that held New York without a third-down conversion.

Tyson Bagent handled Chicago’s offense with Caleb Williams inactive. The Bears outgained the Jets 492–157 and finished the game with an 18-play possession that consumed the remaining 9:16. New York fell to 1–3 after its third consecutive defeat.

Monangai gets Chicago started

The Bears’ opening possession ended without points after replay overturned two apparent D’Andre Swift touchdowns. They returned to the goal line on their next drive, and Monangai scored from one yard on fourth down with 23 seconds left in the first quarter. His spin through contact capped a 12-play, 57-yard possession.

New York’s defense briefly supplied a way back. Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Bagent early in the second quarter and returned the ball into Chicago territory. The Jets converted the takeaway into Jason Sanders’ 36-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7–3. It was their first interception since the 2024 season finale.

Chicago answered with two Cairo Santos field goals from 30 yards before halftime. Monangai gained 41 yards on six carries to help establish the first kick. Bagent’s 37-yard completion to Rome Odunze on third-and-five set up the second, which came as the half expired.

The Bears led 13–3 after outgaining New York 274–34 in the first half. Their defense forced a quick three-and-out between the late field goals, preserving enough time for another scoring opportunity.

Jets’ takeaways yield six points

Jamien Sherwood forced a Swift fumble in the third quarter, and Brandon Stephens recovered at Chicago’s 28. The Jets reached the seven-yard line but settled for Sanders’ second field goal, a 30-yarder that made it 13–6.

Chicago immediately drove 72 yards in nine plays, finishing with Monangai’s five-yard touchdown run with 2:26 left in the third. Santos added a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth, extending the lead to 23–6.

Geno Smith then found Isaiah Williams for a 58-yard touchdown with 9:16 remaining. New York missed the extra point, leaving the margin at 11. The Jets never regained possession.

Volume decides the finish

Monangai carried 30 times, while Swift added 58 yards on 15 attempts. Odunze led Chicago with six catches for 94 yards; Luther Burden had four for 63 and Colston Loveland six for 57.

Braelon Allen supplied New York’s rushing production with 59 yards on 14 carries. Smith completed eight of 15 passes for 119 yards and the touchdown. The Jets went 0-for-7 on third down and committed 12 penalties for 76 yards.

Chicago’s final possession included penalties that extended the drive and erased potential New York takeaways. With 42:45 of possession against the Jets’ 17:15, the Bears turned their rushing advantage into control of the closing minutes.