The No-Names of the Midway held the Jets’ offense to 157 yards Sunday in a 23-12 win at Soldier Field. And all of seven first downs. And zero third-down conversions. And pretty much no hope, dignity or semblance of NFL-caliber ability.
If it weren’t for one fourth-quarter bomb from Jets quarterback Geno Smith to former Illinois star Isaiah Williams, the game would have been absurdly one-sided. Then again, it was anyway.
Sure, we could throw a parade for the Bears’ offense, which had a big day and possessed the football for more than two-thirds of the game. We could compose odes to coach Ben Johnson’s offensive brilliance after the team’s third win of the season with a different quarterback. We could talk about injured starter Caleb Williams, too, because when is talking about Williams ever a bad idea?
Williams and Johnson are the objects of our obsession, let’s face it. That goes for the fans and the local media, too.
But the defense? You know, the part of the team nobody ever really talks about? The No-Names had a little something to do with how this one went down, you know.
After holding the Vikings and Eagles to a combined 16 points the last two weeks, the Bears nearly made it three straight games allowing single-digit points — which would’ve been a first for them since 1988.
“It’s incredible to see guys just go out there and ball,” rookie safety Dillon Thieneman said.
There were three Jets three-and-outs. Twice after Bears turnovers in their own territory, the defense shrugged off the tension of the moment, held the Jets to field goals and squashed any momentum for the visitors.
Yes, it helps to face a Vikings team quarterbacked by Carson Wentz and a Jets team that is, ahem, the Jets. Putting a good defensive stretch together under those circumstances might not mean the rest of the offenses on the Bears schedule — starting with the Packers next weekend — should be quaking in their cleats.
But it’s starting to look like a well-balanced Bears team, obsessions aside.
“It feels good, but the job’s not done,” said end Dayo Odeyingbo, who was credited with one sack and helped set up another with a lightning-quick rush that forced Smith to step up in the pocket right into a charging Austin Booker. “This league is like, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ ”
Lately, the No-Names are more than holding their own.
It’s nice when your offense has the ball for 42-plus minutes. That’s not merely the offense’s doing, though.
“Probably one of the easiest NFL games I’ve played in,” linebacker Devin Bush said. “I’m not sore at all, so it was great.”
Dayo being disruptive 👀
Austin Booker with a perfectly timed jump to get in Geno Smith’s passing lane to come away with the sack.
Bears defense. 📈 #DaBears pic.twitter.com/TmcAKKOSdX
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 4, 2026
TRANSLATION STATION
What Booker said: “Obviously, you want to be on the field more.”
What he meant: “Did you see who we were playing?”
What defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said: “We’ve got a lot of respect for [the Jets]. … I think they’ve got a really good team.”
What he meant: “But seriously, folks.”
What Johnson said in the locker room: “You guys know what next week is? Enough said.”
What he meant: “I probably haven’t mentioned this before, but I’m not particularly fond of the Packers.”