ThePhiladelphia Eagles are headed to Soldier Field on Monday night, and as a football fan, even if you don't have a dog in the fight, you have to be excited. They'll take on the Chicago Bears, and these two proud franchises have written plenty of stories in that building.
Could another chapter be waiting to be added to the history book? The primetime lights will be bright, and this is the final game of Week 3's slate, featured on Monday Night Football.
Philadelphia is trying to improve to 3-0 and move to 2-0 in the NFC, while the Chicago Bears are trying to avoid a second consecutive loss. Plenty of attention will be on the quarterbacks, the coaching matchup, and the biggest names on both sides.
That doesn't mean the game's most important plays
will necessarily come from the obvious places. Here are five sneaky threats on Chicago's roster the Eagles shouldn't overlook.
Malik Muhammad II, cornerback
Malik Muhammad has been all over the field early this season. He has recorded six tackles. He has notched a sack, and he is no stranger to finding the football. He already has an interception and two pass breakups, which should get the attention of an Eagles passing game that cannot afford to become careless.
That makes him particularly interesting against Jalen Hurts. Quarterbacks can get away with some risky throws when a defensive back is slow to react, but Muhammad has already shown an ability to capitalize when the ball is there to be taken. If Hurts is off-target or tries to squeeze a pass into a tight window, Muhammad could make Philadelphia pay.
Luther Burden III, wide receiver
Luther Burden may not be as well-known nationally as Kalif Raymond or Rome Odunze, but he has become a significant part of what the Bears want to do offensively. He has received 12 targets, second on the team behind Raymond, and five more than Odunze.
That volume has translated into eight receptions, also second on Chicago's roster. His 11.9 yards per reception ranks third among the Bears' leading receivers, suggesting he isn't simply a safety-valve option. Philadelphia needs to know where Burden is because he has become one of the offense's more consistent ways to move the chains.
Kyle Monangai, running back
Maybe Kyle Monangai isn't particularly sneaky because he has split the workload with D'Andre Swift fairly evenly, but that's precisely why the Eagles cannot overlook him. Chicago has multiple backs capable of carrying the football, which means Philadelphia can't simply build its defensive game plan around stopping Swift.
Monangai gives the Bears another physical option in the backfield and another player who can make the Eagles pay if they lose discipline at the line of scrimmage. With Chicago likely wanting to establish its running game, he could have plenty of opportunities to become more than a complementary piece.
James Lynch, defensive tackle
James Lynch isn't one of the names that will dominate the pregame conversation, but he has been around the football enough to demand attention. He is tied for fourth on the Bears with 10 tackles, four of them solo, despite playing only 50 defensive snaps and starting one game.
That's the interesting part. Lynch doesn't need a massive snap count to make an impact. If he isn't making the tackle himself, he can create the opportunity for somebody else by occupying space or disrupting the blocking scheme. The Eagles' reshuffled interior offensive line already has enough to worry about. Lynch will not make that assignment any easier.
Cam Lewis, safety
Cam Lewis was a free-agent addition during the offseason, and he already looks like a jackpot signing for Chicago. He ranks third on the team in tackles and has shown a willingness to play physically when the situation calls for it.
That could matter especially against an Eagles offense that likes to create opportunities in space. Lewis is the type of defender who can erase a few extra yards simply by getting downhill and finishing plays.
Final analysis
Philadelphia doesn't need to turn every one of these players into a household name before kickoff. It simply needs to know where the problems can come from. The biggest danger Monday night may not come from the player everyone spends the week discussing. Sometimes the lesser-known defender or offensive contributor makes the one play that changes the game.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Bears: 5 sneaky threats on Chicago's roster
