The Philadelphia Eagleshave done what good teams do. They found ways to win their first two games, even though they left plenty of room for improvement. The record says 2-0. The tape says they still have work to do. That's why Monday night's matchup with the Chicago Bearsdeserves respect.
The Bears may have questions at quarterback
and inconsistencies of their own, but they also possess strengths that can create problems if Philadelphia isn't ready. Here are three reasons the Eagles could face a tougher battle than expected.Hostile territory at Soldier Field
The Eagles have one of the NFL's most passionate fan bases, and Philadelphia supporters routinely travel well. Just ask the Tennessee Titans. Week 2 felt more like a neutral-site game at times and an Eagles home game at other
times thanks to the number of Eagles fans in attendance. Chicago will be different. Soldier Field remains one of the league's tougher road environments, especially under the lights. Bears fans have waited all offseason for games like this, and a prime-time matchup against a Super Bowl contender will only add to the energy.
Road teams often talk about handling crowd noise, communication, and momentum swings. Those factors become even more important when an opponent gains confidence early. If the Bears can make a few plays and energize the crowd, Philadelphia will need to stay composed.
The Bears average 200 rushing yards per game for a reason
The Bears aren't accidentally leading one of the NFL's most productive rushing attacks. Chicago enters Week 3 averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game behind a physical offensive line and a backfield featuring D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Those numbers should immediately command Philadelphia's attention. Chicago gashed the Eagles for 281 rushing yards last season. While this year's defense is different, that performance reminds us what can happen when gap discipline breaks down and tackling becomes inconsistent.
If the Bears establish the run early, they can shorten the game, control the tempo, and keep Philadelphia's offense watching from the sideline.
The offensive line remains a work in progress.
For years, the Eagles' offensive line has been viewed as one of the league's gold standards. Right now, however, legitimate questions remain.
The offensive line has been forced to adjust, and while there is understandable excitement around Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, and Markel Bell, projecting young players and relying on them are two different things. Depth always looks good on paper until it is tested. The Eagles still have elite talent up front, but the group hasn't consistently dominated the line of scrimmage the way fans have grown accustomed to. Until that changes, every game presents a potential challenge.
None of this means the Eagles are destined to lose, far from it. Philadelphia has the better roster and enough star power to beat Chicago. Still, hostile road environments, productive rushing attacks, and offensive-line uncertainty can create uncomfortable afternoons.
If the Eagles clean up their tackling, establish the run, and handle the atmosphere, they'll improve their chances of improving to 3-0. If not, the Bears have enough strengths to make this much closer than many expect.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Bears’ rushing attack tops 3 reasons Eagles could struggle in Chicago
