Philadelphia Eagles opponents preview - Chicago Bears
This is the next part in our series of previews of the Eagles 2009 opponents. Joining us for this feature is Dave Schwab, who writes about the Eagles at his site Eagles Lincs.
The Eagles will try to snap a few streaks this Sunday night when they face off against the Bears. They've lost two straight this season and are so far winless on Sunday night football on NBC. They've also lost a couple straight to the Bears over the last couple years... Can the Eagles break these streaks and get back on track?
Check out Dave's full analysis after the jump.
2009 Eagles Opponents- Chicago Bears
The 5-4 Eagles will try and snap a two game losing streak when they travel to Chicago on November 22nd to play the 4-5 Bears in front of a nationally televised audience on Sunday Night Football. Philadelphia is coming off another rough trip to the West Coast having lost to the San Diego Chargers 31-23. The Bears are slowly letting their season slip away as they lost their second game in a row, falling 10-6 to the 49ers last Thursday night. They have now lost four out of their last five games since their bye in week five. The biggest benefit they will have for this game, besides the extra few days rest is that they are playing at home where they are 3-1 this season. The last time these two teams played in Chicago was last season in week four with the Bears coming away with a 24-20 victory. The lowlight of this game was when the Eagles were stopped on fourth and goal from the Bear’s one yard line with 3:40 left in the game.
A lot has changed with the Bears between this year and last but not necessarily for the best. Chicago’s big off season acquisition was quarterback Jay Cutler from Denver. While he had some flashes of brilliance earlier in the season including a big win over Pittsburgh, lately he seems to have more completions to the other team than he does to his own receivers. In the game against San Francisco he threw five interceptions and zero touchdowns as the offense only managed to score six points. Most of the interceptions were avoidable as he made one poor decision after another, forcing the ball into spots where his receivers had no legitimate chance to make the catch. His last interception, the most costly one was at the end of the game in the 49ers end zone sealing the victory for San Francisco. This reckless behavior with the ball could play right into the hands of the Eagles’ secondary as they already have 15 interceptions on the year. Chicago’s running game isn’t going to scare anyone either as they currently rank 30th in the league only averaging 85 yards per game. Despite this stat, the Eagles’ defense will still have to be wary of the run as they gave up 119 yards on the ground last week to a Charger team that was ranked last in rushing offense. The best strategy will be to stuff the run to create some third and long situations which will help to feed Cutler’s instinct to throw the ball up for grabs.
Defensively the Bears are a mere shell of their former selves as they have never recovered from losing All Pro linebacker, Brian Urlacher with a season ending injury to his wrist. In their last two games against teams with a decent offense the Bears’ D gave up 41 points to the Cardinals and 45 points to the Bengals which bodes well for the Eagles offense to have another big day. Chicago is currently ranked 9th overall in total yards given up per game, but 19th in points allowed and 21st against the run. This could set up for Eagles RB LeSean McCoy to have a big day as it is doubtful Brian Westbrook will be back after sustaining another concussion in last week’s game. If the Birds can move the ball on the ground, it should open things up for some big plays down the field.
Heading into week eleven every game becomes a must win especially for these two teams who are hovering right around the .500 mark. Despite the fact that Eagles have lost their last two games, they are still a far better team than the Bears. They have more talent at the skill positions and a QB who knows how to take care of the ball. Defensively, despite being thin in the secondary, the only real threat Chicago has is Devin Hester. The key will be to shut down RB Matt Forte and put the ball in Cutler’s hands as right now he could be the Eagles best weapon to win this game.
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22 comments
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Comments
Why does this game scare me?
Oh yeah, we already lost to the Raiders, that’s why.
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
by oldasquick on Nov 18, 2009 7:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
hahahaha.......
i feel ya dude, im scared of this game considering the Bears are 3-1 at home and coming into the game off 10 days of rest. That along with all of our walking wounded and i have another bad feeling. This is make or break time.
by goldenbird09 on Nov 18, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This game is another lose/lose game
If we win it proves nothing — we beat the bears. If we lose, we’re one step closer out the door and out of the playoffs.
You know what is good though? The Cowboys lost and there’s no more cow fag fans prancing around here with their 2 cents.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on Nov 18, 2009 7:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well, we’ll know a little bit- they can still win games, especially with their backs to the wall. It won’t show much but it will be a lot better than if they lost.
And yes, thank God the Cowboys lost and their stupid fans are gone. I had a feeling that the Packers would win, especially since they lost to the Bucs the week before, and the Cowboys didn’t look very good offensively when they play the Eagles.
by bdawk4ever on Nov 18, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not lose/lose
I don’t care what it proves, I care about getting the win. It’s wins/losses that will decide if we make the playoffs at the end of the year, not what we’ve proven.
by AZ Eagle on Nov 18, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if we lose this game...we can kiss the playoffs goodbye
not necessarily because we might be out of the race, but because if we lose to the raiders and a struggling bears team, we aren’t playoff worthy
Weapon X eats babies for breakfast.
by immynimmy on Nov 18, 2009 8:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Playoffs?
I don’t even want them to give fans any more false sense of hope. McNabb’s 450 yards passing against SD was a perfect microcosm of the shell of a team they are. They are not good at the stuff that matters. Who cares that you’re passing for infinity yards against a team that’s giving you that but stopping you from scoring TD’s. The stats were just to pad his numbers so he had an excuse and could blame someone else. True playoff contenders have to score on red zone opportunities against good teams. This game means nothing because this season means nothing. We need a coach that will run the ball, an offensive line that wants to play and not make excuses (ex. Runyan once played with a broken tailbone, none of the losers on the O-line have that kind of heart anymore!), and we need a QB who doesn’t just try when the going is easy. We are 1-9-1 in games that are decided by 7 points or less. And don’t give me the D lets up too many points, because the Colts let up 34 points against the PATS and still came back to win from 13 points down with 4 minutes left. This team isn’t even likeable. Maybe having a bunch of guys like we have in the Phils makes these Eagles look even worse.
by strikeeagle on Nov 18, 2009 8:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pump the brakes kid. That man is a national treasure.
Seriously though, I agree that the coaching staff needs to step up and start running the ball more often and more effectively, but don’t say that McNabb was padding his numbers just so he could blame others on the team. That right there makes no damn sense.
I’m neither a McNabb hater or apologist, but that man did not give up in this game or look to pass the buck. I’m tired of all the McNabb hate. We should direct our anger where its most deserved, towards Reid & Mornhinweg for not having confidence in our run game. Why the hell did we bring The Face Cleaver here if we’re not going to use him in goal line situations. It didn’t work on 1st down? Great, try it again on 2nd. Ram that ball down thier throats on the goal line.
by DonnyD on Nov 18, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Its because
Andy and Marty don’t put much emphasis on red zone because they expect the team to be able to score from outside. That is completely stupid, but its what they do. Alex Smith is a pass catching tight end, Brent Celek is a pass catching tight end, and Leonard Weaver is one of the best multidimensional fullbacks in the game. Thats what I’m talking about when I say using personnel. Inside the 20 yard line is when the true power of a team shows up and it definitely shows on the goal line and Andy doesn’t put emphasis on there. He doesn’t teach his lineman to move piles, he teaches them to hold up. The finesse of our O-Line has shown so many times its sickening. Tight ends are suppose to create match-up problems in the redzone yet Andy still seems to love to go with 3 receiver sets. Thats one of the many reasons I am not a Reid or Marty fan. I love Andy as a FO manager, but as a coach, he makes me sick to my stomach.
by macjack09 on Nov 18, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm...
Were you saying all of this stuff last year as well when the eagles were 5-5-1? Just wondering.
by PhilsForever on Nov 18, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Based on recent history, I’m expecting a sloppy, poorly played game by both sides where the Eagles lose to the Bears in weird circumstances in the final minute.
That doesn’t mean I won’t be rooting for a win or completely pissed off if they lose on Sunday night.
by BrianS on Nov 18, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
how does..
This guy completely disregard Greg Olsen? With the Eagles ineptitude at defending the tight end, he is by far the most dangerous offensive weapon the bears have in this game. It seems blatantly obvious to me. Why not to him?
by PhilsForever on Nov 18, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
True
But I’d much rather be giving up yards to a big, slowish TE than a fast quick strike WR.
by bdawk4ever on Nov 18, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
because
getting burned by TEs is nothing new. So it doesnt matter if its Jason Witten or LJ Smith, we’re toast
RIP Jim Johnson. You will truly be missed.
by Igglesfan13 on Nov 19, 2009 2:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
At least Brian Griese isn't starting!
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
by oldasquick on Nov 18, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I heard kodiak still has a sore paw.
You can't soar with the Eagles when you're surrounded by turkeys.
by Aeries god of soar on Nov 18, 2009 8:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
bears fan here
nice writeup although i would like to add:
the cincopicko effort from cutler last week was most definitely not all on him. bears offensive line has been for the most part just plain offensive. little to no pass or run blocking going on anywhere all season long. having 260lb+ TE’s get outmuscled for a pass by little DB’s who weigh maybe 200 also is very weak. having an oc who calls plays that 95 percent of fans know what they are before the ball is snapped doesn’t help. and yes, cutler makes his share of boneheaded plays compounded by the observation that he seems to be trying to do too much. can’t blame him as the bears o is pretty much just spinning wheels all over the place.
when i saw westbrook wasn’t going to play i figured bears chances of winning doubled. from 5 to 10 percent. i know the bears have been beating the eagles for the past 2-4 years now but i would be very pleasantly surprised if the home team can either squeak out another win or at least be competitive and show signs of improvement in some very very weak areas.
by reefermadness3 on Nov 19, 2009 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You guys may win easy
bears have no running game. had forte run like he did last year I would be confident of a big bears rebound and upset. Jay Cutler will have to throw like a dan Marino but he has no recievers even half as good as Duper and mark Clayton. bears have no chance though they may hurt and make Donavan Mcnabb look bad
grammer geeks you make me sick
by angryandy on Nov 20, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
meh the Raiders and the Chargers guys all came over here saying we would win easy over them too. Nothing is a given with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jim Johnson 1941-2009
"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009
by Whodie126 on Nov 20, 2009 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
FREE TICKETS!!!!!!!
Hey, don’t forget about the free ticket giveaway Bears vs. Rams December 6 on www.ticketchest.com. The drawing takes place Nov. 24. Don’t miss this!!
by Brandon Leddy on Nov 20, 2009 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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