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Eagles vs Bears on MNF

Eagles @ Bears on MNF

It’s the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at the Chicago Bears (0-1) on Monday Night Football (8:30pm est, 5:30pm pst).


Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz certainly looked like an NFL quarterback last week in a 29-10 victory against the not so mighty Browns of Cleveland. Passing for 278 yards with no interceptions Wentz looked poised and confident.


This week Wentz and the Eagles are on the road to face the Bears in Chicago at Soldier Field. Chicago let a 14-10 halftime lead vanish last week in a 23-14 loss against the Texans. Jay Cutler was sacked 5 times by Houston which may indicate the Eagles should be able to pressure him on a regular basis.


Philadelphia will play without tight end Zack Ertz and cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Ertz will be replaced by capable veteran Brent Celek so the Eagles offensive scheme should go relatively unchanged with the exception of their two tight end sets. Replacing McKelvin may prove to be much more challenging with Philadelphia thin at cornerback with the recent trading of Eric Rowe.


Chicago will be looking to do a much better job of protecting Cutler than a week ago. While the Eagles lack a JJ Watt they do have an above average defensive line led by Fletcher Cox and linebackers able to pressure the quarterback or drop back in coverage. I would expect the Bears to try and run the ball early to open up time and passing lanes for Cutler. Alston Jeffery had 4 catches for 105 yards last week and will give the Eagles coverage and matchup problems all evening. If Cutler can find enough time and a way to get 2015 first round pick Kevin White involved the Bears should have some success through the air. The Bears have won 4 of their last 5 appearances on Monday Night Football.


Weather: Overcast with a chance of showers or thunderstorms. Warm with a slight wind. If the weather turns for the worse the edge will go to the team best able to rush the ball.


44th all time meeting.


All Time Record: 30-12-1 Bears


Last Game:Eagles 54, Bears 11 in 2013.


I think the Eagles run game finds a way to grind out the needed yardage from Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles to allow Wentz to find Jordan Matthews and Nelson Algohor enough times to secure the rookies second, and the Eagles second win of the season. The weather situation may lead to tight end Celek featuring in a more than expected role.


Final Score: Eagles 31 Bears 27

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