Loveland and Monangai react to Bears' comeback win over Bengals

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 18 hours ago

CINCINNATI - The rookies were big in Chicago’s 47-42 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rookie running back Kyle Monangai had 176 rushing yards while rookie tight end Colston Loveland had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with under 30 seconds left in the game.

“I don’t think I ever have (played in a game like that) honestly. I think the back and forth (and) they come back with two (TDs), then we happen to end it. I can’t think of a time that’s ever happened,” Loveland said. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions for sure. But, just happy we got the win. That’s what I’m realizing in the NFL, anything to get the win. You can’t be mad about it. Obviously, got a lot of stuff to clean up. But, got the win and we made it out. So, that was big.”

Chicago did their homework on the Bengals' defense. They have struggled against tight ends all season, and when Cole Kmet went down with a concussion and was unable to return, Loveland stepped up. His 118 receiving yards are the fourth-most by a Bears rookie tight end. Only Hall of Famer Mike Ditka had more receiving yards in a game during his 1961 rookie season, when he had three games with over 120 receiving yards.

Rookie running back Kyle Monangai also made rookie history. His 176 rushing yards are the second-most by a Bears rookie running back all-time and the most since Anthony Thomas had 188 rushing yards as a rookie in 2001.

Thomas’ game was also against the Bengals.

“I have high expectations of myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself. So, it’s the work I put in,” Monangai said. “I expect the results I get, but that doesn’t mean I’m satisfied for anything like that and it means I just got to keep going. It’s more just letting myself know (that) I’m on the right track. But, now it’s time to keep going, put our foot on the gas and continue to keep this trend going.”

Chicago entered this game as one of the worst red zone offenses in the league, scoring a touchdown on only 47.8 percent of its red zone trips.

That was something the Bears knew they had to address in this matchup and were able to successfully use Monangai’s rushing ability to step up the red zone offense.

“I think going into it, during the week, we kind of said we’re going to run the ball and that’s the plan. But, you got to go out there and execute and do it and we were. I think we got down there well and then that sets up the red zone opportunities,” Monangai said. “Obviously, you (are) eating up yards and possession of the ball and all that stuff. So, we got down there, we’re able to get some points. I think there’s some drives we wish we could have got touchdowns as opposed to just a field goal, but we did a better job than we have in the past and we got to keep building.”

Although Monangai did not record a rushing touchdown, fellow seventh-round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, running back Brittain Jones, was able to score his first career touchdown.

It was one of two rushing touchdowns on the day, with the other coming from wide receiver DJ Moore.