The Bears had the ball for almost 22 minutes in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Jets and they have a 10-point lead to show for that edge.
Cairo Santos’s second field goal of the day pushed the lead to 13-3 on the final play of the first half. The only touchdown of the first 30 minutes came when running back Kyle Monangai converted a fourth down from the 1-yard-line at the end of the first quarter.
The Bears’ massive edge in time of possession stands even though they have the game’s only turnover. Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had the team’s first interception since Week 18 of the 2024 season and it set up a field goal, but the Jets only have two first downs and 34 total yards of offense so far on Sunday.
The score would be more lopsided if not for good work in the red zone by the Jets defense. They held on the 1-yard-line on the Bears’ opening possession and both of Santos’s field goals came after red zone stops forced the Bears to settle for three points. They’ve had four drives of 11 or more plays, though, and the Jets will need to get the ball back in their hands more often to have a chance of coming back.
Tyson Bagent has played most of the game at quarterback for Chicago — Case Keenum took the first snap and handed off with Bagent lined up at receiver — and is 16-of-22 for 170 yards and the interception. Monangai and D’Andre Swift have each run for 54 yards, so the Bears will likely continue to lean on the ground game and drain the clock with a victory in sight.