CHICAGO -- Todd Bowles didn't rip his team for its inexcusable lack of concentration (pre-snap penalties: seven!) or its dreadful offensive performance, one of the worst of his head-coaching tenure. No, the New York Jets coach focused on the positive after their 24-10 loss Sunday to the Chicago Bears.
Really, he did.
"I'm very proud of the way they fought and stayed together," he said, relaying his postgame message to the players. "This was one of the first games the entire year we stayed together as a team and fought, collectively."
It was a curious statement -- the first time, really?