``As a running back, I see that and I get anxious,'' the New York Jets' second-leading rusher said Thursday. ``But you have to stick with the game plan and what works best for us, whether that's throwing the ball or running the ball. I'm sure that they are working on it over there to try and eliminate the 100-yard rusher.''

Chicago's usually dominant defence has allowed 100-yard rushers in three straight games. The Giants' Tiki Barber ran for 141 yards last Sunday, Miami's Ronnie Brown had 157 the previous week, and San Francisco's Frank Gore gained 111 in Week 8.

``We realize that, but at the same time, we're not focused on that,'' said rookie Leon Washington, who has the Jets' only two 100-yard games this season. ``We're focused on the things that we need to do to win the game. As an offence and as a team, we do realize the type of opponent we have ahead of us this weekend.''

Chicago has the NFL's top-rated defence, is No. 1 against the pass and second in points allowed with 13.3 per game. If there's a slight chink in the armour, it's the run defence. The Bears have allowed 98.3 yards rushing per game, tied for 10th best in the league, and the Jets need to take advantage of any edge they can get.

``They have the best team in the NFC,'' tight end Chris Baker said. ``They're 8-1, they just stopped the Giants here last week and a big part of that is their defence. They force turnovers all over the place, so it's a big challenge for us, trying to see where we are as an offence.''

The Jets' running game was slow out of the gate as coach Eric Mangini and offensive co-ordinator Brian Schottenheimer tried to find the right fit to replace the injured Curtis Martin. Derrick Blaylock got the first shot, but was ineffective. Barlow was next and Washington's workload increased. Cedric Houston also got a chance, but got injured.

Washington then had a breakout game against Jacksonville in Week 5, rushing for 101 yards on 23 carries. He had 129 yards and two touchdowns two weeks later against Detroit, seemingly grabbing hold of the starting job.

But the shifty Washington has carried the ball only 24 times for 86 yards in the last two games, while the bulldozing Barlow has had 91 yards and a TD on 22 carries _ including a 75-yard game in the rain and mud in New England on Sunday. Meet the Jets' newest version of their two-headed running game.

``They run plays we don't like to see on our defence, the misdirection plays, our keys take us different places,'' linebacker Brian Urlacher said. ``So we've got to be slow until we know what is going on exactly and just go and figure it out and go to our gaps. They have good backs, you know Barlow and Washington are good players, they have a good offensive line and they do a pretty good job of blocking for them.''

And a lot of that starts with rookie centre Nick Mangold, who has drawn praise around the league for his veteranlike approach and ability to consistently make correct line calls.

``He constantly has to make good decisions and do some things in the front in terms of communication, getting everybody lined up,'' Mangini said. ``I really am happy with the progress he continues to make.''

Every week has been a learning experience for the first-round pick out of Ohio State, and this Sunday will be no different. Instead of New England's three-man line, the Jets will be facing the Bears' stout four-man rush with big tackles Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson and ends Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown.

``Every week in the NFL is another big challenge, but this week especially,'' Mangold said. ``You watch those guys on film, they go after guys and they move around.''

In order to make the running game effective against Chicago, New York will need to get the passing game going again. After two 300-yard games to start the season, Chad Pennington has thrown for over 200 in just one game since _ six games ago against Indianapolis on Oct. 1.

``It's all about executing the game plan,'' receiver Laveranues Coles said. ``It doesn't have anything to do with what they're doing, it's what we're doing. If we go out and we're executing correctly and every guy does his job, we'll be fine.''