Coming off a disappointing Week 2 loss at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears will have an opportunity to bounce back against the Philadelphia Eagles in a primetime matchup on Monday Night Football. Here is the matchup to watch, X-factors and a score prediction for the Week 3 game.
With a week of uncertainty for the Chicago Bears' quarterback position, there is finally clarity. Veteran Case Keenum is expected to start in the Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to multiple reports.
Caleb Williams is out with a Grade 2 hamstring injury, and even though Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol, he only practiced once this week, giving Keenum the runway for his first start regular-season since Christmas Eve of the 2023 season.
The Bears (1-1) are coming off a disappointing 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, while the Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) scored the go-ahead touchdown with :09 seconds left in the game to defeat the Tennessee Titans, 24-20.
Here's everything you need to know about this NFC matchup on Monday Night Football.
Matchup to Watch
The Chicago Bears have to establish their run game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Everyone knows what happened between the two teams last season on Black Friday. The Bears ran for 281 rushing yards in the 24-15 win.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is going to do everything in his power to ensure his players are prepared for Johnson's rushing attack. The Bears are coming off a 9-3 loss to the Vikings, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores held Chicago's run game to 31 carries for 134 yards.
Through two games this season, the Eagles have allowed the 10th-most rushing yards (254). According to Next Gen Stats, Philadelphia also has the seventh-highest EPA/Rush +0.02.
There is an opportunity to run on Fangio's defense, but one matchup that I'll be watching closely is Jonah Jackson vs. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. The Bears like to run to the right with Jackson and Darnell Wright. The Eagles know that, but this is just power vs. power, good on good.
We'll find out if the Bears can capitalize on Monday night,
X-Factor
Depending on what advanced analytics website you use, will have some different numbers for the Bears' total amount of pressures. According to radar360, the Bears have generated 25 total pressures, tied for the fifth-most in the league through the first two games played. Next Gen Stats registered the Bears with 19 pressures, fourth lowest in the league.
Regardless of the number, the Bears need to find a way to apply pressure on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have given up the 11th most quarterback pressures through the first two games played (29).
The Eagles' offense also leads the NFL with 3.41 seconds in time to throw, meaning Hurts is holding the ball longer than any other quarterback through the first two weeks.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen may need to dial up the pressure to see he if he can hit home to affect Hurts and the Eagles' passing game.
Correct the Details
The Bears' special teams unit played a critical factor in Chicago's loss to the Vikings in Week 2.
Johnson explained that the operation for Cairo Santos' 23-yard field goal was not clean and it ended up being blocked. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower told the media on Friday that the team has corrected the operation.
The Bears' third phase must prove that is the case and that extends for all ares on special teams. With the Bears shorthanded at the quarterback position, special teams must carry its weight for Chicago to have a chance on Monday night.
Chicago also must clean up the penalties that were scattered throughout the Week 2 loss. The Bears committed eight penalties for 58 yards, consistently putting the team in bad situations and negating positive plays. Center Garrett Bradbury was penalized four times. Turnovers were an issue as well. Williams threw and interception and running back D'Andre Swift fumbled at the 1-yard line.
Game Prediction
The Eagles may be undefeated, but they're beatable.
Johnson's offense must stay ahead of the chains with a productive run game to allow Keenum to stay out of obvious passing situations. The Bears have the personnel on offense to make that happen.
The Eagles have just 225 rushing yards this season. Only the Green Bay Packers have less (146 yards). Can the Bears keep Saquon Barkley and company in check? That's another x-factor in this game.
Before the season started, I had this game as a Bears loss. That's what a majority of people are thinking as well. The Eagles are a 3.5 point favorite right now. But something is telling me not to doubt Johnson and this team's ability to rebound after a disappointing performance in Week 2.
Give me the Bears, 20-17.
