• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bears visit Meadowlands for second straight week

Nov 14, 2006 - 8:08 PM Chicago (8-1) at NY Jets (5-4) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears look to complete a "Meadowlands sweep" Sunday when they take on the New York Jets.

It marks the second straight week the Bears are visiting the Meadowlands after they posted a 38-20 victory over the New York Giants last Sunday night in an NFC showdown of first-place teams.

Now the Bears face the Jets, who have been a major surprise under first-year coach Eric Mangini.

After winning just four games last season, the Jets already have surpassed that total in 2006 and find themselves just one game behind first-place New England in the AFC East.

Last week, the Jets posted a surprising 17-14 win at New England, handing the Patriots consecutive losses for the first time since 2002, a span of 57 games.

Chad Pennington completed 22-of-33 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown with an interception and Kevan Barlow rushed for 75 yards and a TD in the win over the Patriots.

Following this contest, the Jets' last six games are all against teams with losing records.

The Jets rank 25th in total offense, averaging 291.8 yards. They will receive a stern test from the Bears, who rank first in total defense and second in scoring defense (13.3).

Chicago endured its first loss of the season two weeks ago against Miami but rebounded in a big way against the Giants.

Rex Grossman threw for three touchdowns and Thomas Jones rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Giants.

The victory gave the Bears a two-game lead for the NFC's best record over the Giants, New Orleans and Seattle.

This is the second of a three-game road trip for Chicago, which visits New England next week.