PHILADELPHIA -- First of all, hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving holiday! Whether you celebrate or not, if you're fortunate enough to gather with loved ones and spend quality time with them this time of year, hope you enjoyed it and will cherish it.
And the football. The football was pretty sick yesterday, too.
And for the "holiday" finale: Black Friday. Bears-Eagles. Two 8-3 teams battling for current control of the #2 seed in the playoffs. Just like we all expected.
Interestingly, the vibes surrounding these two 8-3 teams couldn't be more different coming in. Philadelphia, the reigning Super Bowl champions, have somewhat limped to their current record behind an elite defense, a sputtering offense, and seemingly some beef between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. And just last week, they blew a 21-0 lead to Dallas and lost.
Meanwhile, the Bears have completely turned their losing culture around in a calendar year. They've escaped many a game in 2025 in dramatic fashion, but making those few extra plays each game was something they couldn't do for years. And now they have. Just last week, they overcame fielding a completely decimated defense en route to a surprising 31-28 win against Pittsburgh.
Like I said, the vibes were different coming in.
For the Bears, this was a measuring stick game. If they could keep it competitive on the road, they could take some "callous" into their divisional showdown next Sunday against Green Bay. If they got blown out, it'd serve as somewhat of a reality check. If they won...
And wouldn't you know it, the Bears flipped the script on Philadelphia and dominated them from start to finish, stamping their announcement to the world as a real football team in 2025.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on X @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. Ben Johnson had a very effective opening script against Vic Fangio to start the game. Bears were ahead of the chains and moving the ball in various ways.
But a questionable third down spot on a neat draw to D'Andre Swift made it 4th and 1, and a very questionable decision to overturn Kyle Monangai's conversion turned it over on downs. The decision to go for it on 4th and 1 on a very windy day in Philly was the prudent choice. Bears need to pick themselves back up over the course of the game.
The Bears' defense though played a strong series after sudden change - forcing a punt after one first down. They tipped a second down pass and then Austin Booker chased Jalen Hurts for a mile, leading to a throwaway. Nice to see the front get a bit of pressure there.
Also, don't forget it's a C.J. Gardner-Johnson revenge game in Philly! He was talking trash already on that first drive. A real Energizer Bunny. Really hoping the Bears find a way to keep him around next season.
2. Bears' second drive was a masterclass by Ben Johnson. Another off-balance mix of runs and passes, motions, and really cool blocking schemes to get the running backs in space. Swift and Monangai both had big runs on the drive -- capped by Swift's revenge touchdown.
The Bears' OL has been brilliant to start this game. They've been physical and taking it to Philly's vaunted defensive front early. Adjustments will be made by Vic Fangio, but a great start to get ahead.
3. With the Bears' injuries at linebacker and strength in the secondary, I'm happy to see them play more Dime looks. Getting their best defenders all on the field at the same time is the right choice -- especially when Kyler Gordon, Gardner-Johnson and Nahshon Wright are also good in run support. It's a good choice by Dennis Allen and I want to see them roll this out more over the course of the season.
4. Goodness, the Bears' offense has been fantastic through three drives. Another mauling, gritty drive by the Bears that -- while stalled in the red zone -- seemed to wear on Philly's defense yet again. Key catch by Zaccheaus on a third down, and an escape/scramble on another one by Caleb Williams. Swift led the drive on the ground yet again.
Williams' miss to Rome Odunze in the end zone hopefully won't come back to bite them, but it's another example of the passing game still leaving plays on the field, despite the offense being spectacular.
It's been an unbelievable showcase so far from Ben Johnson.
5. Boy, did the Bears miss Jaylon Johnson. You kind of forget how much of an impact he has on the field because he's been out so long. Great coverage on the Eagles' ensuing drive -- a play where Dennis Allen sent Kyler Gordon on a blitz (surprise!) and he came close to sacking Jalen Hurts. Bears' defense playing quite well to open this game, all things considered.
6. Caleb continues to be frustrating with his accuracy (albeit it's windy as hell). But he's making good decisions against a very tough post-snap defense in Vic Fangio's Eagles. There are several examples of him making the right read (and quickly) in the first half, but he's sailing the throw. D.J. Moore's slip on a dig on the two-minute drive cost the Bears a shot at three points.
Bears have been really good through one half, and should be up much more than a touchdown against Philly. On the road.
I think we can safely say Chicago's at least proven they belong on the same field as the Eagles.
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7. The Eagles and Bears traded punts to start the second half. One Philly's second possession, the Bears pressured Hurts towards the sideline and he heaved one to A.J. Brown that was picked off by Kevin Byard. Another revenge game big play - Byard saw that target coming from 20 yards downfield and flew in for a great INT.
Bears offensively wasted the possession, though. A nice run on first down by Kyle Monangai set up a 2nd and short, but the Bears chose to try to pass on two straight downs and had a short scramble and incomplete to Odunze (who was open) -- misfire by Caleb who was being chased frantically.
Not sure why they haven't stayed committed to the run the last few drives, because the passing game is all sorts of out of sync today.
8. Yikes, the Eagles sure changed things in a hurry. A crosser to A.J. Brown to get out of their own end zone, followed by a DUMB penalty by Gervon Dexter hitting Hurts late put the Eagles on skates.
A big keeper by Hurts and a beautiful snatch on a fade to Brown against Nahshon Wright and it's 10-9, Bears, after Jake Elliott missed the extra point.
The Bears have had chance after chance to put some distance between them and the Eagles, and they haven't been able to do it. And now, it's a pressure cooker game again.
9. My word, this game is insane.
Ben Johnson got too cute on a 2nd and 1 and Nakobe Dean picked off Caleb Williams on a screen pass that otherwise would've gone for big yards. Eagles got the ball back Bears territory. Another rough passing play when the run game continues to work.
But then after a couple first downs from Philly, the Bears stuffed the Tush Push AND Nahshon Wright stripped Jalen Hurts to put and end to that drive. Insane play and insane timing. He has played the run well all year and came through in another huge moment, just as it looked like Philly was about to put their own stamp on this game.
I would be just fine if the Bears don't pass it again today.
10. Ben Johnson got the message. Carry after carry for Kyle Monangai on that drive -- rushing with EASE en route to a touchdown. I counted just three dropbacks by Caleb: a dirted screen on 3rd and 5 on the Eagles' 37, a 4th and 5 out route conversion to Colston Loveland, and a slant to Moore to set up 1st and Goal at the 5.
Complete ass-kicking all the way down the field. Bears up 17-9. That was lovely stuff.
11. What Dennis Allen has whipped up the last two weeks is nothing short of heroic. Doing this with zero startable (or even replacement level) linebackers against teams who love to utilize RBs and TEs in the passing game is unbelievable. Getting Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon back for this game certainly helped, but this is true wizardry.
Can't tell you how impressive this coaching staff has been. And Allen isn't likely to go anywhere.
12. The Bears. Are. For. Real.
The Bears bled five minutes off the clock on a beautiful chokehold drive, helped by multiple short jabs by the Bears and two third down passes by Caleb to Moore on a mesh concept, and OZ on a screen pass.
And then after another naked boot that they've peppered throughout the game, Ben Johnson and Caleb went for the kill and lofted a beautiful 28-yard toss to Cole Kmet for a touchdown. 24-9, Bears.
13. Interesting chess match on the ensuing Eagles possession. Hurts has historically struggled against the blitz, and so Allen -- in a traditionally "prevent" style situation -- opted to play man and send pressure repeatedly. Hurts did a good job finding answers quickly on most occasions, rendering the blitzes useless. But the Bears also did a good job tackling to avoid bigger chunk gains and forcing more time usage.
Cool to see the unusual approach, even if it didn't fully work. Still, Philly missed the two-point try so it remained a two-possession game after their touchdown.
Odunze recovered the onside -- so no immediate repeat of the Cincinnati game!
14. I remember Kyle Long shared a story where he asked his brother Chris - who was on the 2018 Eagles - if he thought the Bears were good enough to win the Super Bowl had the double-doink actually gone in. Chris said no; he thought the Bears weren't tough / physical enough. And it was probably warranted.
Today? Different story. The Bears man-handled the Eagles pretty much from start to finish. Unbelievable what we witnessed in Philly.
15. The Bears will enjoy a mini-ish bye week and get set to travel to Lambeau Field next Sunday to take on the Packers in a crucial divisional matchup. It's crazy that the Bears are playing games of this magnitude this season. We were all hoping for "In the Hunt" graphic inclusions... and instead, they're battling for division titles and seeding. Incredible.
The Packers had a great showing in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, and are starting to really click on all cylinders, especially on offense. Jordan Love looks good. It'll be a fun game.
Early prediction: Packers 27, Bears 23
