EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Two early turnovers staked the Chicago Bears to 14 points on their way to a 17-13 halftime lead over the New York Jets on Monday night.
Things began miserably for the Jets when Geno Smith didn’t see Ryan Mundy lurking in the flat on a screen pass to Chris Johnson. Mundy had nothing but clear field ahead of him to make it 7-0 only 32 seconds in. It was the sixth-year veteran’s third career interception.
New York remained charitable as rookie Jalen Saunders dropped a punt at his 40 and it was recovered by Ahmad Dixon. One play later, Jay Cutler threw deep down the right sideline to Alshon Jeffery and cornerback Darrin Walls was flagged for interference.
From the 7, Cutler, given plenty of time, found Martellus Bennett in the back of the end zone to make it 14-0.
Both Mundy and Bennett had spent a portion of their careers playing for the other tenant of MetLife Stadium, the Giants.
Chicago also lost star receiver Brandon Marshall (right ankle) and fullback Tony Fiammetta (hamstring) in the second quarter. Marshall was questionable to return, Fiammetta was done for the night.
Nick Folk’s 43-yard field goal brought the Jets within 11 points and capped a 55-yard drive during which Chris Ivory had a 23-yard reception and Eric Decker a 19-yarder.
But Chicago answered with a 15-play, 79-yard drive helped by cornerback Antonio Allen’s holding penalty on a third-down incompletion. Robbie Gould made a 24-yard field goal for a 17-3 lead just 66 seconds into the second quarter.
The Jets stalled in the red zone again on their next series after a 43-yard completion to rookie tight end Jace Amaro got them going. Folk was perfect from 28 yards.
New York got closer with a 77-yard drive on which Jeremy Kerley accounted for 51. He caught two passes for 16 yards, one on third down, and got free over the middle on a 19-yard throw from Smith to make it 17-13.
A video review reversed a call late in the half on which the Jets might have taken the lead. Cutler was sacked by David Harris and lost the ball, but was declared down by contact. A review showed Cutler had fumbled, but Demario Davis’ return to the end zone was negated because the whistle had blown.
The Jets then went three-and-out.
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