The Chicago Bears will have a much different look and feel to them on Monday Night Football as they welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Soldier Field. Chicago will be without starting quarterback Caleb Williams due to a hamstring injury that is likely to cause him to miss multiple weeks, and backup Tyson Bagent was just cleared from concussion protocol, leading the team to name 38-year old Case Keenum as the starter.
It was a tale of two completely different weeks in the first two games of the regular season for the Bears, and no matter who is under center, Ben Johnson is going to have to find a way to get his offense right. Last year, Chicago went into Philadelphia on Black Friday and defeated the Eagles, who come in looking for revenge and will
get superstar running back Saquon Barkley back on the field.
Given the circumstances, this game will be a spotlight for Chicago's head coach to show he can get his offense on track no matter who his quarterback is. Here are the key matchups for the Week 3 matchup against the Eagles:
Bears QB Case Keenum vs. Eagles defense
Thrown into the starting role due to injuries, Case Keenum is going to have answer a big time challenge in taking on an Eagles defense that can get all over the field. Keenum will have to play within the system put in by Ben Johnson, and if he can take care of the football, that may be just enough for what the Bears need to pull off the win at home. Philadelphia's defense has yet to force a takeaway in two games, so leaning on the running game while not taking many deep chances could be how Keenum guides this team. The Bears are not asking Keenum to give his best Caleb Williams impression and make big play after big play, he's just got to be ready for a defense that is looking to cause havoc.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson vs. Eagles WR DeVonta Smith
Jaylon Johnson was not happy with himself or the defense as a whole in Week 1, and then the weather conditions in Chicago were less than ideal in their loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. Johnson will once again find himself matched up against the opponent's best receiver, DeVonta Smith. Now the primary target for quarterback Jalen Hurts, Smith is coming off a big game in the win over the Titans last week, grabbing 10 receptions, 117 yards, and a touchdown.
Bears O-line vs. Eagles LBs
Philadelphia's defense has high level talent across the board, but their linebacker core may be the most important in this matchup. Led by Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun, the Eagles will likely turn to their linebackers in an effort to stop Chicago's ground game, which tore them up last season and had a big performance in Week 1 against Carolina. Chicago's offensive line has struggled with penalties and sloppy football in the first half of games, but they can set the tone on offense if they can get to the second level and create openings against the linebackers of Philadelphia.
Bears HC Ben Johnson vs. Eagles DC Vic Fangio
Last week, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores got the better of his matchup against Ben Johnson, and now another strong coordinator comes to town. Fangio, the former Bears defensive coordinator, has been highly regarded and successful throughout his coaching tenure, and he's got an opportune matchup on his side. With the Bears going to their third quarterback, Philadelphia could get more aggressive in trying to force takeaways, giving the Bears head coach plenty to plan for. It'll be interesting to see how Johnson calls the offense against Fangio's defense, especially in the search for a bounce back performance, and with a much different look at quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 4 key matchups to watch in Bears vs. Eagles in Week 3
