The Chicago Bears make their first primetime appearance of the season this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Unfortunately, they will likely be starting their third-string quarterback and they’re home underdogs.
Things aren’t looking great for the Bears, but they still have a lot going for them, too.
Case Keenum might be the most capable third-stringer in the league. They have a head coach who can scheme up points against anyone and with seemingly any personnel…as long as it isn’t raining.
We rounded
up some of our staff to get their keys for a Chicago Bears victory.
Sam: Use the ground game and turn this into a grind-it-out game. Case Keenum can be a good game manager, play within the offense and keep the ball out of harm’s way. If the defense gives him a big play opportunity, he should be able to take it. Hopefully, some of the defensive play we saw against Minnesota can carry over. Contiaining the Eagles’ run game is going to be key, but so is shutting down Devonta Smith.
Donald: Keys to the game: run, run, and run some more. Assuming it is Keenum at QB, nothing would take pressure off of him like a successful run game. That keyed the Bears victory over the Eagles last year and it can do it again. Second, limit turnovers. Case needs to play within himself. Take the safe play and lean on the run game. On defense, contain Hurts. He doesn’t run as much as he used to but it is still a big factor for the Eagles in sustaining drives. And finally, the Bears have to stop the run. Keeping Saquon off the stat sheet is the best path to securing a W.
Lester: Regardless of the QB, the Bears should run the ball 30+ times this week, and they need to stick with the hot hand. I’d expect the backs to get plenty of use in the passing game too, whether that be in the flat, of by leaking though the line of scrimmage over the middle.
Gary: POUND. THE. ROCK. We need to see a repeat performance from last season if we want to have the best chance of winning. Establishing the run game will allow whoever is under center to take advantage of play-action when needed for easy underneath completions. Defensively we have to maintain deep discipline, make the Eagles work for it through the ground game and short level passing.
Josh: The last time the Bears beat the Eagles, it was behind the strength of the running game. That needs to hold up, while the defense needs to limit Hurts.
What do you think it will take for the Bears to beat the Eagles on Monday?
