The Chicago Bears are facing an uphill battle in their Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With franchise quarterback Caleb Williams officially ruled out with a hamstring injury and backup Tyson Bagent just clearing concussion protocol, 38-year-old quarterback Case Keenum is the next man up.
Against a stout Eagles defense, the Bears should lean into their run game by feeding D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Bears could be running all over the Eagles in Week 3
The last time the Bears played the Eagles, the game was a one-sided affair thanks to the Bears' running attack. On Black Friday, the Bears rolled into Philly and dominated all four quarters, finishing the game with 281 rushing yards.
Giving the ball to Swift and Monangai early and often is a recipe for the Bears' success. If it carries over into this game, then it will be a long day for the Eagles. It wouldn't surprise anyone if both running backs notch over 10 carries this game.
While this run-first mentality is central to head coach Ben Johnson's offensive philosophy, it might be desperation this time around. That Bears team that played the Eagles on Black Friday looks a little different. Center Drew Dalman is no longer on the team after retiring at 27, and Case Keenum hasn't started a regular-season game since 2023.
There is no question that center Garrett Bradbury, whom the Bears traded for after Dalman's retirement, will have to step up in a big way against the Eagles' defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. This is an unfavorable matchup for any center.
Both Carter and Davis are certified game wreckers, and Bradbury will be lining up against them all night. If the Bears can't win this crucial interior line matchup, it will be hard to gain any headway in the run game. Bears fans should expect a must-watch matchup all night, and it could be the deciding factor in the game. If the Bears shut both down for most of the game, Swift and Monangai should be able to run at will against the Eagles.
With a successful run game, the Bears will also open up the playbook for Keenum. When your 38-year-old, third-string quarterback is playing, you want to keep the pressure off him so he can make safe, easy throws all night. If the Eagles have to honor the Bears' rushing attack, it will naturally let Keenum move the chains with smart passes and perhaps a few play actions.
This might seem tough for the Bears offense. However, it might be easier than expected. The Eagles' run defense gave up 122 rushing yards to the lowly Tennessee Titans last week. There were multiple moments in that game where the Eagles gave up a first down that was uncharacteristic of the Eagles defenses we've seen in the past. They made Tyjae Spears look like the next LaDainian Tomlinson. At times, they. This is yet another reason the Bears should be salivating at the chance to run the ball against this defense. It seems to be the Eagles' Achilles' heel so far this season.
Read more: Bears' Week 3 NFC North roundup: Packers embarrassed, Lions and Vikings survived
People often say history repeats itself. If the Bears want to jump to 2-1, they will have to write history and carry over the dominant rushing attack from their last game against the Eagles.
Add us as a preferred source on Google