Monday Matchups: Bears-Eagles
November, 7, 2011
11/07/11
9:30
AM CT
By
Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
BEARS (4-3) VS. EAGLES (3-4), 7:30 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Financial Field on ESPN
| Quarterback | |
|---|---|
| Coming off a game in which he threw two interceptions, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler might actually be on the verge of finally hitting his stride. He’s completed better than 60 percent of his passes in just three games, but stability along the offensive line and changes to the playbook can’t hurt moving forward. Michael Vick, meanwhile, ranks fifth in the NFL over the past two seasons in passer rating (96.3) and has completed at least 65 percent of his passes in five of the team’s seven games. |  |
| Running Backs | |
| Matt Forte's dissatisfaction with his current contract situation seems to have served as a motivating factor for the fourth-year running back. He’s rushed for 116 yards or more in three of the last four games and is responsible for 43.6 percent of Chicago’s offense. LeSean McCoy is just as dangerous. McCoy is second in the NFL with 754 yards rushing and is second in points (60) among non-kickers. |  |
| Wide Receivers | |
| Chicago’s receivers, led Roy Williams, Dane Sanzenbacher and Devin Hester, will receive an added boost with the return of Earl Bennett, widely considered to be Cutler’s favorite target. Expect plenty of balls -- especially on third down -- to go Bennett’s way. The Bears receivers pale in comparison to Philadelphia’s group, which for the first time in franchise history, has five different receivers who have made catches of 20 yards or more through the first seven games. | |
| Offensive Line | |
| Injuries and inconsistency have resulted in plenty of shuffling along the offensive line for both teams. The Bears will play the same combination of starters up front for the third consecutive game after playing with five different groups. The Eagles have used four different combinations of starters along the offensive line, and receive the nod here because they’ve allowed 13 sacks, which ranks second in the NFC. | |
| Defensive Line | |
| Julius Peppers, Amobi Okoye, Henry Melton and Israel Idonije are one of four quartets in the NFL with at least three sacks apiece this season. But the Philadelphia defensive-end duo of Trent Cole and Jason Babin is responsible for 13 of the team’s 22 sacks. In addition to the sacks, the Eagles have racked up 95 quarterback hurries, including a combined 39 from Babin and Cole. | |
| Linebackers | |
| Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher have combined for 126 tackles, two quarterback pressures, four interceptions and a fumble recovery with the middle linebacker playing an intricate role in pass coverage down the middle of the field. Brian Rolle, Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou have been instrumental in the Eagles limiting opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing for two-straight weeks. | |
| Secondary | |
|
The Bears seem to have solved some of their issues in pass defense. The team hasn’t allowed a 300-yard passer in four games, while forcing six interceptions over that span. Safety might be an area of concern with rookie Chris Conte at free safety, and second-year man Major Wright manning strong safety. Philadelphia, meanwhile, boasts arguably the NFL’s best duo at cornerback in Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel. | |
| Special Teams | |
| Devin Hester detonates fireworks in the return game in prime-time outings. Eight of his 18 return touchdowns have come in prime-time games. Bears kicker Robbie Gould now has a career-high 22 touchbacks on kickoffs, while Adam Podlesh ranks 11th in net punting average (39.6 yards). The Eagles are also dangerous in the return game with DeSean Jackson. Since 2005, the Eagles are third in the NFL in punt return yardage (2,500). | |
| Coaching | |
| Eagles coach Andy Reid is 3-1 against the Bears in home games and 7-3 in home outings against NFC North foes. When Reid took over the Eagles in 1999, he started a streak of five consecutive wins over the Bears that finally ended in 2007. Overall, Lovie Smith owns the edge in this series, having won three of the last four meetings. Across the board the teams seem evenly matched in coordinators and position coaches. But the inexperience of new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo -- who coached Philadelphia’s offensive line for 13 years -- tips the favor toward the Bears. | |
| Overall | |
| The oddsmakers consider the Bears to be major underdogs in this one, but it’s worth noting that Smith has won four games since 2005 coming out of the bye week. Philadelphia finds itself in somewhat of a must-win situation after losing four of its first five. That pressure might lead to the Eagles pressing on offense to make plays, which could yield disastrous consequences against Chicago’s defense. The Bears have found the formula for shutting down Vick (force him to stay patient and work the ball down the field on short passes), which is why he remains winless in three starts against the club and five total appearances. Vick has completed 58.5 percent of his passes against the Bears for 807 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Urlacher said the Bears have never shut down Vick, but they’ve consistently found ways to force key game-changing turnovers, which is likely to occur in this meeting. Look for both teams to try to establish the ground game early, with the Eagles looking to work play action with Vick on bootlegs. Given Philadelphia’s stinginess against the run, it’ll likely be difficult for Forte to get going. So offensive coordinator Mike Martz needs to show commitment to the rushing attack to chew up clock and keep Philadelphia’s explosive offensive off the field. | |
| PREDICTION: Bears 17, Eagles 14. | |
Michael C. Wright | email
Chicago Bears beat reporterWright joined ESPNChicago in April 2010 after spending the previous four seasons covering the Jaguars. He also covered the Redskins for two seasons. A native Texan, Wright was a four-year football letterman at West Texas A&M University.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Dickerson
Dickerson is a Bears beat reporter and weeknight host on ESPN 1000. He's been covering the Bears since 2004.
Michael Wright
Wright joined ESPNChicago in April 2010 after spending the previous four seasons covering the Jaguars. He also covered the Redskins for two seasons. A native Texan, Wright was a four-year football letterman at West Texas A&M University.
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