The Chicago Bears are looking to get back in the win column with a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night. Chicago dominated the Eagles on the ground when the Bears beat them last season and will be looking to do that again in this game.
Chicago is going into this game without starting quarterback Caleb Williams. Backup Tyson Bagent officially cleared concussion protocol on Sunday, but the Bears have decided to go with Case Keenum as the starter after he got all the reps with the first-team offense during the week. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is coming into this game with a mostly clean bill of health as running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith do not have an injury designation.
Here is what it would take for the
Bears to win this game and what it would take for Chicago to lose this game to the Eagles.
Why the Bears will win
The Bears will win because they are able to run the ball very efficiently. Last time when Chicago beat the Eagles, both D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai had over 100 rushing yards. That is the kind of production the Bears need in this game, especially without Williams in the lineup. Philadelphia’s run defense has also struggled this year, making this an ideal matchup for Swift and Monangai. The Eagles have allowed over 120 rushing yards in both of their games so far this season and if the opener is any indication, Chicago’s offense is incredibly successful when they are able to run the ball.
However, the Bears will also win because of their defense. The defense took a step forward against the Minnesota Vikings, not allowing them to score a touchdown and holding them to 246 total yards. Furthermore, Chicago also had three takeaways in the opener. Philadelphia had turnover issues last week against the Tennessee Titans and quarterback Jalen Hurts has a tendency to struggle in primetime.
Why the Bears won’t win
The Bears will not win this game because Chicago’s offense will not be able to move the ball. Case Keenum has not played in an NFL game since 2023. His history against the Eagles is concerning and even if the Bears can lean on the run game, they have to be able to throw the ball or else Philadelphia’s defense will just sell out against the run. Keenum also does not have the greatest history in primetime and the Eagles happen to have a top 10 defense against the pass with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Bagent can always come in if Keenum is struggling, but he also has not started a game since 2023 and was not able to practice until Saturday. This quarterback situation could end up costing the Bears this game and putting them in last in the division.
Chicago also will not win because of Philadelphia’s offense. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is always tough to defend and their top wide receiver, DeVonta Smith, has had a great start to the season. Despite the performance the Bears’ defense had last week, this team is a much greater challenge than Minnesota in terrible weather. There is also something to be said for history. The Bears have lost to Philadelphia six of the last seven times they have played each other. Those struggles have been even more pronounced at home as Chicago has not beaten the Eagles in Chicago since 2010.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Why the Bears will or won't beat the Eagles in Week 3
