The Bears and Jets don’t play each other too often. Every four years in fact. That doesn’t make for much of a rivalry. Chicago holds the edge in head-to-head meetings at this point with an 8-3 edge but two of those three victories New York has scored came at Soldier Field. Perhaps no game the two have played were more memorable than the thrilling shootout that took place the day after Christmas in 2010.
Both teams came into the game hot. New York had just upset the Steelers in Heinz Field the week before. Chicago had won six of their last seven going into that Sunday. The two teams would finish the year 11-5 and each would make it to their respective conference championships. So these were two evenly matched squads squaring off.
At first, things didn’t seem like they’d go that way. The Bears took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and seemed to be in control of matters. Over the next 45 minutes though, things changed. In fact, one might say they got a little crazy.
Bears and Jets exchanged epic punches in wintry afternoon
The Jets didn’t stay down for long. They came right out in the second quarter and blitzed the Bears for 24 points including a bad pick-six by Jay Cutler that got the ball rolling. It was almost 28 points too if tight end Dustin Keller had managed to hang on to a sure touchdown before the end of the half. Chicago trailed by seven at intermission. There was definite concern about whether they could rally.
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Then? Cutler went bonkers. He came out firing in the 3rd quarter, firing not one, not two but three touchdown passes to Johnny Knox and Devin Hester to get Chicago the lead 38-31. It was one of the most impressive quarters he would ever play in a Bears uniform.
After that, the defenses finally began to settle down, trading punts and big plays through most of the fourth quarter. However, the Jets narrowed the gap 38-34 and got the ball back with just over a minute left to possibly win the game. Mark Sanchez tried to go deep on 2nd down to Santonio Holmes who had burned the Bears for a long touchdown earlier in the game.
This time Chicago was ready though. Chris Harris cut the pass off in the air for a game-clinching interception. It was a thrilling victory that came in unexpected fashion for the team, helping them to clinch a first round bye in the playoffs. New York didn’t fret over it. Right after the game, they discovered that they’d made the postseason as well.
