Three-and-out: On Jordan Howard, a new rookie starter and ‘Q’

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Three takeaways from the Bears’ 22-16 loss to the Giants:

Howard happenings

Jordan Howard is the Bears’ most enticing young offensive player, but that doesn’t spare him from the inconsistency of youth.

The rookie running back has started the last two games on fire, rushing a combined 25 times for 161 yards in the first half against the Buccaneers and Giants. In the two second halves, he totaled seven carries for 16 yards — including five for five yards Sunday.

Combine that with three dropped passes Sunday, and it’s clear Howard is still learning on the job.

Bush starts

Rookie safety Deon Bush had played one career snap before last week. Sunday, with the Bears dissatisfied with the play of Harold Jones-Quartey and Chris Prosinski, Bush started.

He was credited with seven tackles. No Giants receiver topped 50 yards.

“I felt comfortable,” Bush said. “I still got a lot to learn. I still got a lot to improve on.”

Q back

Marquess Wilson’s only catch in his first game of the season was a big one — a 35-yarder to start the Bears’ final drive. He stuttered and sprinted past Eli Apple, catching the pass and angling out of bounds.

Wilson said afterward he “probably could have stayed in,” while quarterback Jay Cutler said he thought the receiver might have been able to score.