The Philadelphia Eagleshope to extend their regular-season record to 3-0 against theChicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Caleb Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Tyson Bagent, at last glance, was still in the NFL's concussion protocol. That potentially leaves Chicago's quarterback situation in question as the week progresses. It may also mean that veteran Case Keenum could start come Monday
.The Bears have not ruled Williams out, but head coach Ben Johnson said he does not expect his quarterback to practice early in the week. That uncertainty shouldn't change Philadelphia's approach. This is a Chicago team that opened the season by scoring 59 points against the Carolina Panthers before managing only three against Minnesota.
They also pushed Philadelphia around last season.
This is a pretty good illustration of how quickly things can change in the NFL. The Eagles cannot afford to assume the Bears they see Monday night will resemble the team that struggled offensively Sunday. Here are six Bears players Philadelphia must keep under a microscope.
The Bears' starting QB
Whoever the Bears quarterback is, he'll be ready to go. We're talking about Ben Johnson's offense. That's worth remembering while everyone waits for clarity on Williams and Bagent. Johnson's system produced a franchise-record 59 points in the opener, and both quarterbacks have experience operating within it.
Williams has shown he can create outside the offense's structure. At the same time, Bagent showed late against the Minnesota Vikings that he can move the football when given an opportunity. Keenum is a veteran who has seen most of what NFL defenses have to offer.
The Eagles don't need to know the name on the back of the jersey to understand the assignment. Whoever takes the first snap will be running an offense designed by one of the league's most creative offensive coaches.
D'Andre Swift, running back
Here we go again with another former Eagle. D'Andre Swift is still in Chicago, where he remains the Bears' starting running back and continues to provide value as both a runner and a receiver.
Swift has 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns through two games, while adding 64 additional yards and another score as a receiver. Even in Chicago's 9-3 loss to the Vikings, he caught five passes for 54 yards, including a 32-yard reception that helped move the Bears into Vikings territory.
Philadelphia knows better than most that Swift can become a problem when he gets into space, so the Eagles need to keep him from turning routine touches into chunk plays.
Kalif Raymond, wide receiver
After the Bears moved on from D.J. Moore, Kalif Raymond has stepped into a larger role and leads Chicago with 13 catches for 124 yards through two games.
That makes him an interesting player to watch Monday night because he's not necessarily the biggest name on Chicago's offense. He's becoming the kind of dependable target quarterbacks can find repeatedly. Raymond caught five passes for 40 yards against Minnesota and has already shown that he can move the chains when Chicago needs a conversion.
Dillon Thieneman, safety
Dillon Thieneman is another name Eagles fans should know. The safety has seven tackles and a pass defended through two games, and he has been consistently around the football.
Thieneman's production is worth watching because Philadelphia's offense has several players who can force safeties into difficult decisions. One wrong step can create a big-play opportunity for Jalen Hurts and the passing game. Thieneman has already shown a willingness to get involved, so the Eagles should know where he is before they start pushing the ball downfield.
Montez Sweat, defensive lineman
The Eagles know what Montez Sweat can do, and that alone should put him on the scouting report in permanent ink. He has one sack through two games, but his physical presence can affect an offense even when he doesn't finish the play himself.
Philadelphia's reconfigured offensive line already has plenty to prove, and Monday night won't be the night to lose track of Sweat. If he can consistently win his matchup and collapse the pocket, he can make things uncomfortable for Jalen Hurts even without piling up a huge statistical afternoon.
Jaylon Johnson, cornerback
Jaylon Johnson remains one of the most important pieces in Chicago's secondary, and he has already shown why through the first two games. He has seven tackles and a forced fumble this season, while his career résumé includes multiple Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro honor.
That makes the potential matchup with Philadelphia's receivers particularly intriguing. DeVonta Smith has been one of the Eagles' most reliable offensive weapons through two games, and Chicago cannot afford to let Philadelphia dictate favorable matchups all night. Johnson can challenge receivers at the line and disrupt timing, making him one of the biggest obstacles to a productive passing performance.
Final analysis
Philadelphia doesn't have to shut down every Bears player on this list to win Monday night. It does, however, need to prevent Chicago's most important pieces from taking over stretches of the game. The quarterback situation may change, but the assignment doesn't: Keep the Bears' playmakers quiet, force the rest of the roster to beat you, and make sure Monday night never becomes a game Chicago can steal late.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 6 Bears who could give the Eagles problems on Monday Night Football
