On a rainy afternoon in North New Jersey, the New York Jets got back on track by defeating the Chicago Bears 31-10 in Week 12.
In a battle of backup quarterbacks, Mike White got the better of Trevor Siemian, and by a lot. White completed 22-of-28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns. The first two scores each went to rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson, giving him two more scores from White in this game than he had in seven games with Zach Wilson under center. White also found second-year receiver Elijah Moore for a touchdown, his first score since Week 13 of last season.
The Jets also got a lift from rookie running back Zonovan Knight, who played much more than expected after Michael Carter injured his ankle and James Robinson was a surprise inactive. White ran 14 times for 69 yards, and added three catches for 34 additional yards in the first NFL action of his career.
Siemian, who reportedly injured his oblique during pregame warmups and was rumored to not be starting, got off to a nice start to the game by completing 8-of-11 passes for 127 yards and a score prior to halftime. He couldn't get much going in the second half, though, and the Jets' defensive front repeatedly had him under siege. He finished just 6 of 14 for 52 yards and an interception in the second half.
Here are a few key takeaways from the Jets' win over the Bears.
Mike White played the best game any Jets quarterback has played this season, and perhaps in quite some time. He completed 22-of-28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns, and was not intercepted. That was good for a 149.3 passer rating, the best for any Jets quarterback since Geno Smith registered a perfect 158.3 rating back in 2014. White connected with 10 different receivers, and got both Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore in the end zone. He calmly navigated the pocket and spread the ball around to the backs and tight ends, as well as the wideouts. He was in complete control of the game from the jump.
Their defense was torn to pieces by Mike White, Garrett Wilson and the rest of the Jets offense. Also, their own offense lacked the ability to create any explosive plays without Justin Fields. Oh, and injuries. Eddie Jackson and Darnell Mooney each left the game with injuries. They were pretty much completely overmatched on both sides of the ball for most of the afternoon. David Montgomery did all he could to break a bunch of tackles and create yards on his own, but it wasn't nearly enough.
With the Jets trailing 10-7 late in the second quarter, White dropped back to pass on first-and-10 from his own 46-yard line. After faking a handoff to rookie Zonovan Knight, White found Garrett Wilson streaking across the field on a crossing route. It looked like it would turn into a nice gain, but Bears safety Eddie Jackson collapsed to the ground due to an injury, and it gave Wilson the opportunity to cut back across the grain. When he did, there was a whole lot of room to run:
Wilson turned the play into a 54-yard touchdown, giving the Jets a lead they would never relinquish.
With the Jets nursing a three-score lead late in the game, Chicago had a chance to make things mildly interesting. C.J. Mosley took that chance away with a diving interception of Siemian, robbing Cole Kmet of a potential catch for a score.
The Jets simply ran the clock out from there.
The Jets improved here to 7-4, keeping pace with the surprisingly competitive AFC East. Next up is a trip to Minnesota to take on the Vikings, who bounced back on Thanksgiving to defeat the Patriots. Chicago drops to 3-9 after its fifth consecutive loss. The Bears host the division rival Green Bay Packers next week before taking a bye in Week 14. Fields should be able to play next week, given that he was a game-time decision for this contest, but the Bears could also elect to hold him out and let him rest for two more weeks before playing again, given that their chances of making the playoffs are pretty much non-existent at this point.
The Jets improve to 7-4 here, and they'll travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings next week. The Bears are 3-9 and have lost five straight. They play the Packers next week and then take their bye in Week 14.
If New York can get one yard in the next couple plays, it will be able to kneel on the ball and run out the clock.
And now Siemian gets picked by CJ Mosley over the middle. That'll do it for this one.
Montgomery didn't have much going in the first half, but he's been excellent after the break. Just keeps shaking off tackles and gaining more yards after contact.
Jets defensive line is just able to tee off right now, and Siemian doesn't have a ton of time to throw. Keeps having to get rid of it right at the top of his drop, before being able to survey things downfield.
Zonovan Knight has been impressive, too. 10 carries for 60 yards and 3 catches for 34 yards.
Mike White, man. 21-26 for 311 yards and 3 TD now. Sheesh.
Siemian then looks for Claypool on a fade against Sauce Gardner for at least the third time this afternoon, but it gets broken up by (I believe) Lamarcus Joyner coming over the top. Jets get the ball back and can now run some clock.
Siemian JUST missed Dante Pettis on third down, laying it out just a bit too far on the quick out.
Cole Kmet averts disaster by recovering his own fumble. Great Peanut Punch to knock the ball out but the Bears keep it.
Montgomery is doing all he can to create yards by himself right now. Breaking some tackles, and he's up to 5 yards per carry on the day.
Siemian did a nice job to escape pressure with the reverse-pivot on that third down, but there was just not enough room for him to scamper for the first.
The Jets announced that Michael Carter is QUESTIONABLE to return with an ankle injury.
Also balling: Zonovan Knight. He has 10 touches for 67 yards now... and then Ty Johnson takes one to the house from 32 yards out. That might do it for this one.
Mike White is absolutely balling, folks.
The Bears run game has not gotten much going at all today. 13 carries for 52 yards from Montgomery and Evans. 18 carries for 60 yards overall. Run-run-pass is not an ideal way for Chicago to try to move the ball.
Welcome back, Elijah Moore. Mike White's THIRD touchdown of the game puts New York up by two scores.
There's another nice gain for Berrios, this time on an end-around. CJ Uzomah faked like he was blocking left for Zonovan Knight, then wheeled around and led the way for Berrios around the right edge.
The Bears announced that Mooney is DOUBTFUL to return with an ankle injury.
Another nice return for Berrios, by the way. That's 38 yards on two punt returns. Coverage unit for Chicago needs some work.
Siemian goes down again, this time on third down, and the Jets will get the ball back . Bryce Huff totally unblocked off the edge. Seems to have been a miscommunication on the left side of the line.
Siemian was looking for Cole Kmet up the sideline there, tried to hit the back shoulder. Kmet couldn't get his body turned around in time and the pass sailed several yards out of bounds.
The Bears are already short on impactful wide receivers, and now Darnell Mooney is headed to the locker room with an injury. Less than ideal.
After the Jets down the punt inside the 1-yard line, David Montgomery gets the Bears out of the shadow of their end zone with a nice run.
Siemian had a chance with Montgomery on that route out of the backfield. Some space in front of the RB to run with it if the throw is on target. Instead, the Bears go three-and-out to begin the second half.
Siemian looked like a sitting duck in the pocket on first down. Jets defensive line is one of the best in the league, and it got to Siemian right there.
Greg the Leg nails it from deep. 17-10 Jets.
Or maybe not. White finds Denzel Mims for a decent gain and it's fourth-and-2 from around the 38 or 39-yard line. Could kick from here, but may go for it.
That sack likely took any chance of points away. Jets will likely go into the half with a 14-10 lead.
