The Bears-Eagles game was supposed to be a titanic rematch of one of the best playoff matchups from last season. A chance for Chicago to get a measure of revenge after their heartbreaking Double Doink ending. However, it doesn't feel like that is in the cards. The Bears are 3-4 and the Eagles are 4-4. One though has momentum with the bye week approaching while the other has lost three-straight games including the last two at home.
Everything seems to tilt towards Philadelphia. They're at home, they're coming off a big win and they are getting health in a number of key spots. Chicago is healthy too but they're just not playing good football right now. Mostly on the offensive side. Initial feelings hint this game could get out of hand but is it really that bad? Here is a breakdown of what to expect on Sunday.
Bears-Eagles prediction feels somewhat lopsided
Storylines:
The last stand of Mitch Trubisky - Things are sliding downhill fast for the third-year QB. You know things are bad when people are saying 250 yards and an interception count as a "better" game by Trubisky. The fact is the guy hasn't been good enough. It feels rather fitting that Philadelphia might be the place where he makes his last stand. The team that prevented his great moment in the playoffs now has a chance to deliver the final blow to his career as the Bears' starter. Unless he tries to flip the script.
Jordan Howard's revenge - Chicago isn't a stranger to seeing former players exact their revenge on them lately. Adrian Amos already did it back on opening night. This feeling like the perfect time for Jordan Howard to do the same after the Bears traded him this offseason. The Eagles have run the ball extremely well this season and Howard has led the way. It feels almost inevitable that they're going to feed him Sunday and he's going to steadily grind the Bears defense down until they break.
Injuries:
Jason Peters (knee) - Philadelphia will be without their longtime left tackle for this game, which means it will fall on rookie 1st round pick Andre Dillard to block Khalil Mack. This is something the Bears could certainly take advantage of given how Carson Wentz has a tendency to hold the ball at times. Then again unless somebody else can provide a rush on defense, this might be a limited advantage.
Desean Jackson (abdomen) - On the flip side, the Eagles are getting some good news as well. Top vertical threat Desean Jackson has returned to practice and appears on course to play. This will provide even more issues for the Bears secondary who already will have to contend with the likes of Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz.
Key matchups:
Eddie Goldman vs. Jason Kelce - A big reason the Eagles have run the ball so well lately is the play of their star center Jason Kelce. He'll able to dance circles around his next opponent. Eddie Goldman remains one of the best nose tackles in the business though, and he's always difficult to run the ball against. Their battle could determine the course of this game, especially in regards to how effective Howard is running the ball.
Taylor Gabriel vs. Jalen Mills - One area the Eagles defense has been susceptible to all season is their pass coverage. Teams have gashed them deep several times this season, thanks in large part to an undermanned secondary. That means Taylor Gabriel, with his speed should be a focal point of the game plan. Jalen Mills only just got back from injury. He should be somebody they can take advantage of, provided Trubisky is willing to take shots.
Prediction: Eagles win 28-15
If the Bears were playing like they were back in January, they could beat this Eagles team. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Their running game won't save them against that defensive front and Trubisky hasn't shown he has the wherewithal to take advantage of a weaker secondary this year. Defensively they are still strong but the Eagles seem to have too many weapons and an advantage in the trenches with Akiem Hicks out. This one feels like a blowout waiting to happen.
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