QUARTERBACKSChad Pennington (22-of-33, 207 yards, 1 TD) had his first game of inconsistency. He was uncharacteristically errant on some throws early when the Jets needed a spark.
RUNNING BACKSCurtis Martin (21-127 rushing, 4-33 receiving) played the kind of game that usually means a Jets’ win. Richie Anderson (3-23 receiving) made a clutch fourth-down catch on the final drive.
WIDE RECEIVERSLaveranues Coles (5-71) continues to prove himself as one of the best in the conference. Wayne Chrebet (3-30, 1 TD) fumbled away the Jets’ chances of tying the game while making an extra-effort hurdle near the end of the game.
TIGHT ENDSAnthony Becht (1-6) made some punishing blocks in the running game, but he was flagged for an unnecessary false-start penalty.
OFFENSIVE LINEThere was some terrific-run blocking from the entire group. C Kevin Mawae, however, was called for a damaging ineligible-man-downfield penalty that cost the Jets.
DEFENSIVE LINEDE John Abraham had five tackles and 1½ sacks. DE Josh Evans made a key late stop on third down. But NT Jason Ferguson was called for a crucial roughing-the-passer penalty.
LINEBACKERSLike the DLs, there were too many missed tackles. Mo Lewis (10 tackles), Sam Cowart (10 tackles) and Marvin Jones always seemed to be giving too much cushion in short pass coverage.
SECONDARYSS Sam Garnes was the culprit on the 12-men-on-the-field penalty, which damaged the Jets’ late comeback attempt. CBs Aaron Beasley and Donnie Abraham seemed to always give WR Marty Booker (9 catches) too much cushion.
SPECIAL TEAMSKO returner Chad Morton (25.3-yard average) should have had his third TD return had it not been for a holding penalty on Kelvin Moses. The Jets weren’t themselves in coverage, allowing the Bears to average 25.3 yards per return.
KICKING GAMEK John Hall made FGs of 42 (into a stiff wind) and 28 yards. P Matt Turk averaged 42.7 yards on three punts.
COACHINGThough he warned his players all week about a letdown, Herman Edwards didn’t get his message across. Offensively, Paul Hackett should have done something (no huddle?) in to change the slogging tempo of the game. Defensively, Ted Cottrell should have done more (blitzing?) to try to offset Chandler’s rhythm.