Michael C. Wright 10y

Rapid Reaction: Chicago Bears

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few thoughts on the Chicago Bears' 27-19 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

What it means: This is the “backbone” building Marc Trestman always talks about. Two road wins in a row should build confidence for the club before it hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, followed by back-to-back outings at the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. A 2-1 start with two of the first three games on the road is a major win for the Bears. Remember, after the loss in the season opener to the Buffalo Bills, there was the thought Chicago might start 0-3. That’s a distant memory now.

Stock watch: Interestingly, in the locker room at Halas Hall just Saturday, Martellus Bennett joked (or was he joking after all?) the Jets would focus so much on outside targets Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery that he’d be free to make plays down the middle. Bennett caught 15 passes in the first two games for a pair of touchdowns, and tacked on two more TDs against the Jets. Bennett is one of 10 tight ends in the NFL since the start of the 2012 season to gain more than 1,000 yards receiving and haul in 10 scoring receptions.

Points off takeaways: The Bears entered Monday having scored 21 points off five takeaways, which tied for third in the NFL headed into Week 3 matchups. Chicago generated two more takeaways in the first half, leading to 14 points. Ryan Mundy scored the first TD 32 seconds into the game, when he picked off Geno Smith's screen pass to Chris Johnson and returned it 45 yards. Recent addition Ahmad Dixon pounced on Jalen Saunders' fumble at the New York 40 to set up the second score off a takeaway.

Interestingly, both the Bears’ TDs in the first half came from former New York Giants Mundy and Bennett.

In all, the Bears have gobbled up eight takeaways.

Game ball: Mundy set the tone for Chicago’s defense less than a minute into the game with his pick-six. Ever since the Bears brought him aboard, I’ve looked for reasons to doubt him. That comes to an end now. Mundy is better than we’ve given him credit for, and his virtually mistake-free play was desperately needed on the back end.

What’s next: The Bears will take the day off on Tuesday. Some of the injured players will come in for treatment, but the team won’t convene at Halas Hall again until Wednesday to begin preparations for Sunday’s game against NFC North rival Green Bay.

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