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Has Matt Nagy gotten over the blocked kick yet?
When and where: Week 9 at the Linc
Last season: 12-4. Offense: Scoring 9th, Yards 21st, DVOA 20th; Defense: Scoring 1st, Yards 3rd, DVOA 1st
Notable additions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Mike Davis, Cordarrelle Patterson, Buster Skrine, DC Chuck Pagano
Notable losses: Adrian Amos, Bryce Callahan, Jordan Howard, DC Vic Fangio
What are they good at?
The Bears were great on defense last year. In 12 of their 17 games they gave up less than 21 points. They already had a good defense in 2017, and then at the last minute added Khalil Mack, and he took the team to another level. They should still be very good again this season, solely on talent. On coaching though, who knows. Vic Fangio left to take over the Broncos, and his replacement is Chuck Pagano, and that’s a downgrade. Pagano’s one year as a defensive coordinator in Baltimore was great, but with the Colts he not only never had a good defense, but he usually had a bad one. The Bears defense should take a step back in 2019, and that could be enough to keep them out of the playoffs.
What are they bad at?
Despite Matt Nagy winning Coach of the Year, the Bears offense stank last season. This was a case of a defense carrying the offense: Chicago scored 28 or more points in five games, in all five of those games the defense had at least three turnovers. In those five games the Bears scored 24 touchdowns and 5 field goals. 2 touchdowns were scored by the defense, and 6 touchdowns and 2 field goals were scored directly off a turnover. 25% of Mitch “Mitchell” Trubisky’s touchdowns came in one game. Their leading rushing from 2018 plays for the Eagles now.
Why the Eagles will win
They beat the Bears last year and should be even better this year, while Chicago likely takes a step back and Doug Pederson out coaches Chuck Pagano, while Jim Schwartz again outcoaches Coach of the Year Matt Nagy. Plus, this game is at home.
Why the Eagles will lose
Any regression by the Bears defense is more than made up for by Mitch Trubisky taking the next step in his development, and Matt Nagy gets over a blocked kick to come up with a great game plan.