Jets Lose in Chicago, Back Into Playoffs--Defense Is Now Big Question

If it was easy, they wouldn't be the New York Jets. Nothing is ever easy for this team, but they locked up a second straight trip to the playoffs Sunday, only the fifth time in franchise history they have gone to the postseason in back-to-back seasons.

With their 38-34 loss to the Bears in Chicago yesterday the Jets had to hold out hope that either Indianapolis or Jacksonville would lose, and Jacksonville did when Washington Redskins kicker Graham Gano kicked a game winning field goal in overtime to lock up a Jets playoff berth. But never mind the recent drama. Rex Ryan and the Jets are headed back to the playoffs, and they're not complaining even if they backed in with a loss.

Jay Cutler completed 13 of 25 passes for 215 yards and three touchdown passes, Matt Forte ran for a touchdown on 113 yards and 19 attempts in the Bears win, sending the Jets to their third loss in four games. Chris Harris intercepted Mark Sanchez on a pass intended for Santonio Holmes with about a minute left to end New York's comeback bid.

As Coach Ryan addressed the media after the game there was a loud roar from the coaches' locker room when the Jaguars lost, and Ryan stopped himself to talk about it.

"By the way, I think we're in the playoffs," he said. "Not the way I wanted it, but I'll take it."

It made for a surreal scene in the locker room because some players, like guard Brandon Moore, were disgusted by the loss. Others, like LaDainian Tomlinson, were giddy to be in the postseason. Some didn't know what to feel.

"We just lost a game, so I'm thinking, 'Am I allowed to celebrate?'" Keller said.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was conflicted, saying he would have to check with backup/mentor Mark Brunell to find out the proper reaction for backing into the playoffs.

"I have no idea what that's supposed to feel like," he said.

Here's the big picture, the silver-lining view, if you will: Despite an inordinate number of off-the-field issues, from Darrelle Revis' holdout to TripGate to foot fetish videos, the Jets maintained their focus and gained consecutive playoff appearances for only the fifth time in franchise history. They did it with a second-year coach and a second-year quarterback.

Impressive stuff.

But there's the other view: After a fantastic 9-2 start, the Jets have dropped three of their past four games. They blew a possible No. 1 seed and blew a shot at the AFC East title. The most troubling thing is how their once-vaunted defense allowed 45 and 38 points in two of those losses. That's not the kind of late-season performance that inspires confidence.

And now they'll have an extra night in Chicago to savor it after a snowstorm delayed their return to New York.

Forte had a big game and, assuming those numbers stand, is the first opponent to run for 100 or more yards against the Jets this season. Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall had a yard deducted after initially being credited with 100 last week. With 169 yards from scrimmage, Forte has 1,465 for the season and is the first player in franchise history with at least 1,400 in each of his first three NFL seasons. Forte and Hall of Famer Gale Sayers are the only Bears to record at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of their first three NFL seasons.

Sanchez seemed to be just fine after playing most of last week's win over Pittsburgh with a shoulder injury. He threw for 269 yards and a touchdown, completing 24 of 37 passes after a sizzling start, but his interception sealed the win for Chicago and capped another wild week for New York that included more headline-grabbing distractions, mainly Ryan's foot fetish video with his wife.

"To lose the game and I still make the playoffs, that's the best news you can ever have after a loss," said Sanchez, who will likely sit out next week's game against Buffalo. Sanchez completed 13 of 15 passes for 156 yards in the first half, and the Jets led 24-17, but the momentum turned in a big way after halftime.

A fake punt by New York on the opening drive of the third quarter failed as Sanchez's pass to Brad Smith fell incomplete and things only got worse from there because Cutler tied it on the next play when he hit Knox in the end zone with a 40-yard touchdown, and in a flash, the Bears were leading thanks to two big plays by Devin Hester.

He returned a punt 38 yards to the New York 32, putting a neat juke on James Ihedigbo as he turned up the right side that caused his leg to give way and left him with a knee injury.

Then, Hester beat Drew Coleman and caught a 25-yard TD pass from Cutler along the left side that gave the Bears a short-lived 31-24 lead."That was disappointing to say the least," Ryan said. "I understand you get a play or two, but we're going in there trying to kick away from that guy. We tried to do that all day and he got his hands on it and that's why you see how important it is to kick a way from that kid. He is the best returner in the game."

New York immediately tied it on a 23-yard pass from Sanchez to Holmes, but Knox put Chicago ahead for good when he beat Cromartie for that 26-yarder with about 6 minutes left in the quarter.

"We talk a lot about finishing. That's definitely what we did," coach Lovie Smith said.

As for the Jets?

"I'm a huge Redskin fan, I can tell you that right now," Ryan said.