Eights days after an injury to the team’s starting quarterback, and with thoughts of a possible lost season tormenting fans, the Chicago Bears set out on Monday Night Football to remind everyone that their championship aspirations are going nowhere.
In one of the most impressive games of the Ben Johnson era, the Bears annihilated the Philadelphia Eagles with a resounding 27-7 victory that put the entire NFL on notice.
With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, and a recently cleared QB Tyson Bagent
waiting in line, the Bears’ third-string starter, Case Keenum, stepped into the spotlight and delivered with a skeptical national audience and fan base looking on.
But it wasn’t just what the offense was able to do despite being down their superstar quarterback. Dennis Allen’s defense continued to make strides, shutting down the potent Eagles’ offense almost entirely. If it wasn’t for a last second QB sneak before the half, the Eagles would have been held scoreless.
It’s a tantalizing thought to consider what this team could become by December and January (and perhaps, beyond). If the defense continues to play this way, and if Williams gets back and stays healthy, the deepest of playoff runs should be the expectation.
Let’s get to the game balls.
Offense Game Ball: QB Case Keenum
Was there any doubt?
Keenum turned back the clock and then some. While the Bears’ 38 year old veteran has succeeded at high levels in the past, it’s been a long time. Monday night, in his first start in nearly three years, he delivered everything the team could have hoped for.
Credit to Ben Johnson for calling a great game, but players have to execute and Keenum did just that. His 110.8 passer rating was Keenum’s highest since week one of 2019, over seven years ago.
In the end, Keenum was 24/34 for 247 yards, two touchdown passes, and zero interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown as well on a “sucker sneak,” once made famous by Mike Martz while calling the offense for Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams.
It will be interesting to see who gets the call to start at QB next weekend against the New York Jets. Keenum certainly has the hot hand, but Ben Johnson stated after the game that Bagent remains QB2. We shall see.
Defense Game Ball: S Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman wins his second game ball of the young season here, and coincidentally, this one was a toss-up between he and the only other player to win a defensive game ball this year – T.J. Edwards.
I felt both guys had a massive impact on the game. Edwards sealed the outcome late with an interception, while Thieneman had an interception earlier in the game.
However, I’ll give the nod to the rookie based off of some key run stuffs he was part of on the goal line. Most notably, on two of the three plays prior to his interception in the second quarter.
On the play immediately after Jalen Hurts was leveled by LB D’Marco Jackson on the sideline, taking Hurts out of the game briefly for concussion testing, Thieneman was able to prevent Saquan Barkley from scoring a touchdown on 2nd and 4 from the 15 yard line. Barkley ran 14 yards before being pushed out of bounds by Thieneman.
Two plays later, Barkley ran off the right guard from the two yard line but was stopped for no gain by Thieneman. This setup the third down play where QB Andy Dalton threw an interception right to Thieneman, ending the drive. None of that happens without the big stops the rookie was able to come up with immediately prior. A touchdown by the Eagles at this moment would have tied the score and completely changed the trajectory of the game.
If Thieneman isn’t already being considered for defensive rookie of the year, he should be. While his stats may not jump off the page at first glance, he has had a massive impact in games and often looked like the best player on the field for this improving Bears defense.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say about this game this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers on Wednesday evening. It will be available on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel or via your favorite podcasting platform. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
