Something about Monday Night Football makes even a perfectly ordinary regular-season game feel a little more significant. The lights are brighter, the audience is larger, and every mistake tends to receive a little more attention. For the Philadelphia Eagles, this game also offers another chance to answer questions that have followed them through the first two weeks of the season.
Philadelphia has already shown it can win without playing a perfect game, but the Chicago Bears present a different kind of challenge. Ben Johnson's offense can put pressure on a defense in several ways, while Chicago's defense has enough talent to make Jalen Hurts and the Eagles earn everything they get. The quarterback situation only adds another layer of intrigueas
Monday approaches.
The Eagles and Bears have met 48 times, with Chicago holding a commanding 30-17-1 lead in the all-time series. The Bears won the most recent meeting 24-15, although the game never felt quite that close. Before that, Philadelphia had won six straight against Chicago.
Another chapter gets written Monday night, and the Eagles have plenty at stake beyond simply adding another victory. A win would move Philadelphia to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the NFC, while the Bears are trying to avoid dropping two straight. Here are five bold predictions for the final game of Week 3.
Jalen Hurts throws two more TD passes and zero interceptions
The Minnesota Vikings didn't take advantage of some opportunities against Chicago, but Philadelphia should. The Bears have enough defensive talent to create problems, yet they have also shown some vulnerability in coverage and can give explosive passing games opportunities.
Hurts takes advantage. He throws two touchdown passes, but the zero-interception part may be even more important. After making a few mistakes through the first two weeks, Hurts protects the football while still attacking aggressively.
Jake Elliott makes two field goals but misses one
Jake Elliott plays a meaningful role in this game. He makes two field goals, including at least one from beyond 40 yards, but he misses another opportunity.
That may sound like a strange prediction, but the concern is warranted. Recent history makes it hard to predict a flawless afternoon from Philadelphia's kicker confidently. Two makes would help the Eagles' cause, even if one miss keeps everyone holding their breath.
Quinyon Mitchell or Riq Woolen finally gets an interception
Vic Fangio has spent this week emphasizing fundamentals and warning his defenders not to get so caught up in chasing turnovers that they stop making tackles. The Eagles listen, play within themselves, and finally get the reward.
Might this be the game Quinyon Mitchell snags his first regular-season interception? We'll say yes. If he doesn't, Riq Woolen gets Philadelphia's first pick of the season instead. Nobody in the Eagles' locker room will complain if they both come away with one.
Eagles hold the Bears under 275 total .yards
Philadelphia hasn't allowed more than 300 total yards in either of its first two games. This time, the defense takes another step forward. This time, they surrender their slimmest yardage total of the season.
The Eagles hold Chicago below 275 yards, forcing the Bears to work for every possession and limiting their opportunities for explosive plays. Whether Caleb Williams or another quarterback is at the snaps, Philadelphia's defense controls the pace and makes life difficult all night.
Eagles win but fall to 0-3 against the spread
At last glance, Philadelphia was favored by more than a field goal, though that number could change once Chicago's quarterback situation becomes clearer.
The Eagles still win the game, but they once again fail to cover. That would make Philadelphia 0-3 against the spread to begin the season, which would be a pretty funny footnote for a team that could be 3-0 after Monday night.
The important number will be the one on the scoreboard. The Eagles leave Chicago with another victory, even if bettors are still waiting for Philadelphia to deliver a little more separation. Prediction: Eagles 27, Bears 23
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Bears: 5 bold predictions for Monday Night Football in Week 3
