The Philadelphia Eagles hopefully didn't prepare for Monday night by studying Chicago’s loss to Minnesota alone in an isolated capsule. The Bears scored 59 points in their opener and have enough talent on both sides of the ball that their Week 2 struggles are a poor guide to what happens next.
Their quarterback situation remains unsettled. Caleb Williams, dealing with a hamstring injury, and Tyson Bagent, in concussion protocol, were both listed as not practicing Thursday. Kyle Monangai also missed practice with a knee injury.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are 10 Bears Philadelphia needs to account for, with those availability questions in mind.
1. Case Keenum, quarterback
If Williams and Bagent cannot play, Keenum is the next option. The veteran has 66 NFL starts and has seen
enough defenses to operate Ben Johnson’s offense without the improvisational ability Williams provides. Philadelphia should prepare for the scheme as well as the quarterback.
2. D’Andre Swift, running back
The former Eagle has 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. He has also caught six passes for 64 yards. Philadelphia must tackle him before routine runs and checkdowns become gains in space.
3. Kyle Monangai, running back
Monangai has 147 yards on 20 carries, including a 61-yard run. Chicago does not have to rely on Swift alone to sustain its ground game. Monangai’s knee injury bears watching after he was listed as not practicing Thursday.
4. Kalif Raymond, wide receiver
Raymond leads Chicago with 13 receptions and 124 yards. He gives whichever quarterback starts a reliable target who can keep drives moving.
5. Luther Burden III, wide receiver
Burden has eight catches for 95 yards. His usage makes him more than a secondary option, particularly if Chicago needs quick throws to help its quarterback.
6. Rome Odunze, wide receiver
Odunze has five receptions for 95 yards, averaging 19 yards per catch. The Eagles cannot let concern about Chicago’s running game leave him with room for an explosive play.
7. Cole Kmet, tight end
Kmet has only two catches through two games, but one went for a touchdown. His size and ability to work between the numbers give Chicago another answer when coverage shifts toward its receivers.
8. Montez Sweat, defensive lineman
Sweat remains the Bears defender Philadelphia must locate before passing downs. If he wins early against the Eagles’ protection, Jalen Hurts could face pressure before downfield routes develop.
9. Jaylon Johnson, cornerback
Johnson gives Chicago an experienced defender against Philadelphia’s receivers. Hurts must recognize where he lines up and avoid assuming an outside matchup will be easy.
10. Dillon Thieneman, safety
The rookie has a team-high 17 tackles. His involvement near the ball makes him relevant against both the run and Philadelphia’s passing game. The Eagles will want to make him defend space without giving him easy chances to close downhill.
Chicago’s quarterback uncertainty is real. So is its production on the ground. The Eagles’ best path is to limit Swift and Monangai early, then make whoever starts at quarterback sustain drives against Vic Fangio’s defense.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 10 Bears players Eagles fans should know for Monday Night Football
