Despite starting their third quarterback of the young season, the Chicago Bears
defeated the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field in dominating fashion.By now, you’ve probably heard the insane stats. The Bears ran 89 plays on offense, the most by a Bears team since 1997. And the team’s 34 first downs (most in franchise history) exceeded the amount of total plays run by the Jets (32).
While Tyson Bagent was more than adequate under center, it was the Bears’ run game that continued to
dominate. And on the other side of the ball, the Bears defense continued their ascent to the top of the league rankings in shutting down a Jets offense that had previously shown flashes under the command of QB Geno Smith and star receiver Garrett Wilson.
Let’s get to the game balls.
Offense Game Ball: RB Kyle Monangai
It simply couldn’t go to anyone else.
Monangai was the Bears’ work horse in this one, carrying the ball 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one catch for four yards. Importantly, Monangai was able to come through in short yardage situations, something that D’Andre Swift failed to do on the team’s first possession when the Bears were marked short of the goal line on two running attempts from inside the 3 yard line, turning the ball over on downs.
Monangai runs with intensity and a low center of gravity, which should make him the team’s go-to in short yardage situations. It was clear as the game wore on, Monangai was the most-trusted running back on the field for head coach Ben Johnson.
Monangai did exit the game with a thumb injury late in the game. The team is currently classifying it as a day-to-day injury.
Honorable mention to Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson, both of whom who were obliterating the Jets defense throughout the day.
Defense Game Ball: DE Dayo Odeyingbo
This was a tough one given the fact that the Bears defense was only on the field for 32 plays on Sunday. LB Devin Bush even called the game “boring” for that reason. A good problem to have, to be sure!
If we’re being honest, rookie Dillon Thieneman could win this award almost every week. He led the team in tackles (7) this week. Devin Bush received a game ball from Ben Johnson after the game, deservedly so. He had a sack, a tackle for loss, a QB hit, and four tackles total.
But I’m going to look to the defensive line, where Dayo Odeyingbo has indeed been motivated. Coming off of last year’s Achilles injury, he’s made a noticeable impact throughout the early part of the season. Against the Jets, he had a sack, a tackle for loss, a pass defended, and two tackles.
On the play where Austin Booker had the sack after jumping high into the air, Dayo commanded the attention of three members of the New York offensive line as he pushed into the backfield.
Speaking of Booker, I’d throw an honorable mention to him this week.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say about this game this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers on Wednesday evening. It will be available on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel or via your favorite podcasting platform. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
