Jets downed by Bears in Shootout in Windy City

BEARS 38
JETS 34

It's never a good thing when a team gets into a shootout, especially on the road, and as a result it cost the Jets a very big game.

All the Jets needed to do was win and they would clinch a spot in the postseason. Instead they will have to hope for either Jacksonville, or Indianapolis to lose on Sunday for them to get in this weekend. If that doesn't happen, the Jets will have to beat Buffalo next weekend to get into the playoffs.

After falling behind 10-0, the Jets rallied to score 21 straight points, highlighted by a 20 yard interception return by Dwight Lowery to give the Jets a 21-10 lead in the second quarter.

The Jets hurried Jay Cutler in the first half, and found ways to keep the ball away from Devin Hester on special teams. Even the offense looked crisp throughout the first half as the Jets piled on the yards and points.

But, in the second half the Jets forgot how to play defense, as the Bears shredded the Jets in the third quarter. The tides started to turn when the Jets failed to convert a fourth and five, with a trick punt, as quarterback Mark Sanchez lined up as the fullback, took the snap and threw an incompletion to Brad Smith to give the ball back to the Bears with great field position.

On the Bears first play, Jay Cutler hit Johnny Knox in stride for a 40 yard touchdown to tie the game at 24.

The Bears started to pour it on. Cutler hit Devin Hester from 25 yards out for another touchdown to give the Bears a 31-24 lead. After the Jets answered with a tying touchdown to Santonio Holmes, Culter hit Knox once again from 26 yards out to give the Bears a 38-31 lead.

For the Jets, they just couldn't find a way to answer. The Jets had a nice 45 yard drive that consumed five minutes in the fourth quarter, and were forced to punt, when the drive stalled at the Bear 35.

After the Jets forced the Bears into a three and out, the Jets got another chance to win the game, but couldn't move the football inside their own 45 yard line. Finally, inside the final minutes, Sanchez was picked off by Chris Harris to end the game.