Battle between former coordinators headlines Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles

The Chicago Bears play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and while the game could likely end up being a blowout, it’s important to note the relationship between the two teams’ head coaches.

Chicago Bears HC Matt Eberflus and Philadelphia Eagles HC Nick Sirianni worked together for three seasons

When the Indianapolis Colts hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as their head coach in 2018, Reich brought Philadelphia quarterbacks coach Nick Sirianni along to become his new offensive coordinator.

Reich also hired long-time Dallas Cowboys linebacker coach Matt Eberflus to become the Colts’ defensive coordinator, and both coordinators performed well in their respective roles.

In their first year with the Colts, the Sirianni coordinated offense finished fifth in points per game, while Eberflus orchestrated a defense that ended as 10th in points per game. In their second season as coordinators, both units seemed to regress, but the 2020 season saw the defense return to the top 10 in points per game while the offense finished ninth in points scored per game.

The following offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Nick Sirianni as their head coach, and in 2022, the Chicago Bears hired Matt Eberflus to the same role.

Sunday marks the first time that these coaches will meet each other in their respective roles, and while their units faced off against one another in practice for three years in Indianapolis, the week 15 contest could reveal some new wrinkles in their respective game plans.

While Sirianni led offenses with Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, and Philip Rivers behind center, Eberflus will have to prepare for Jalen Hurts and a completely different scheme. With Hurts securely in contention for the MVP award this season, the Philadelphia offense has become one of the best units in football, ranking second in the league in rushing yards, 13th in passing yards, and first in the league in total touchdowns.

Eberflus and the Bears’ defense certainly has their hands full this week, especially considering the loss of Eddie Jackson, but have struggled through this point in the season. The defense is currently 29th in points allowed, 19th in yards allowed, and 32nd in quarterback sacks.

The numbers say that the Philadelphia Eagles will likely have their way with the 3-10 Chicago Bears, but there are a couple of notable reasons why this game might be closer than it appears.

With a major divisional battle looming with the Dallas Cowboys in week 16, Eagles players have stated that their focus remains on the Bears, but with the division on the line, and Micah Parsons’ recent comments, there is a chance Philadelphia is not 100% focused on this game.

Additionally, the Eagles struggled against another big underdog in the Houston Texans, where Philadelphia needed 15 second-half points to beat the one-win Texans to remain undefeated.

This far into the season, it is likely that the Eagles will be focused on stacking wins, and this Bears defense will probably not be able to stop Hurts and the offense, but there is hope that Eberflus can stifle an offense coached by someone he worked with for three seasons.

However, even in a loss, there should be no hesitation in Eberflus’s ability as a coach, as Sirianni not only has an extra year as head coach under his belt but inherited a much more talented team that won a Super Bowl just a few seasons before his arrival.