Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 4): Bears 23, Jets 12 – Monster Day for Monangai in Victory
The Bears started their third different quarterback in as many weeks but it did not stop them from dominating the Jets at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon. The home team had some difficulty converting in the red zone, which made the score look a bit closer than the lopsided action on the field.
Chicago began the game with an epic 93-yard drive that appeared to end with a D’Andre Swift touchdown on fourth down at the 1-yard line, however, a review found he was down just short and the ball went over to New York. Quarterback Tyson Bagent brought his squad right back down the field on the second possession and this time Kyle Monangai successfully got over the goal line on a fourth down to make it 7-0.
The Jets intercepted Bagent in the second quarter and converted it into a 36-yard Jason Sanders field goal. The Bears responded with a pair of Cairo Santos boots, each from 30 yards away, to give his team a 13-3 lead at halftime.
Swift fumbled in Chicago’s first possession of the second half and New York cut the deficit to 13-6 with a short field goal by Sanders. The other running back, Monangai, continued his huge afternoon with a second TD run from 5-yards out to build up the advantage to 20-6 late in the third quarter.
A heavy dose of the run game set up a chip-shot Santos field goal in the fourth quarter and a margin of 23-6. The Jets then had their only explosive play of the game when Geno Smith hit Isaiah Williams for a 58-yard touchdown reception to get them within 23-12. That would be it though, as the Bears went on a 9-minute drive to run out the clock for their third victory of 2026. (Box score)
Why the Bears Won
They pounded the ball on the ground and the defense did excellent work for a third consecutive week.
Key Moment
Getting a second touchdown in the third quarter after failing to convert several excellent chances earlier in the day gave Chicago much needed breathing room.
Stats That Matter
- Bagent wasn’t spectacular but he was solid with 268 passing yards and an interception.
- Monangai had a huge game with 146 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
- WR Rome Odunze was the top receiver with 6 catches for 94 yards.
Bottom Line
The Bears left a lot on the table Sunday but they still had plenty to beat a rebuilding Jets squad. If there is one persistent issue early on it is problems getting touchdowns in the red zone. That is something they have to improve on as they start getting into games with more talented opponents where settling for three points can really hurt. It’s only been four games but the defense seems significantly better than 2025 which would be huge.
Next Up
The Bears travel to Lambeau Field for a game against the arch rival Packers Sunday, October 11 at 12:00pm CT in a matchup broadcast on FOX.
