The Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns in Jay Cutler's return in Week 15. Cutler and the high-powered Bears offense face the Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 16. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
Two weeks remain in the NFL season. A lot has to happen for the Philadelphia Eagles (8-6) to claim their spot in the playoffs in Week 16. But it can be done.
Playoffs: This is a far cry from where the Eagles were a year ago, wrapping up a disappointing 4-12 season that cost Andy Reid his job.
The potential task of clinching the division – should the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Washington Redskins this afternoon – comes against another NFC North foe. After handling the first two tests from the North division with positive results, the weak link in the division – the Minnesota Vikings – halted a five-game winning streak for the Birds. The last of those North opponents is the Chicago Bears (8-6).
They are certainly out for revenge, especially after Nick Foles struggled through the first half, LeSean McCoy saw limited touches and the defense failed miserably.
The tests are no easier for the Eagles. The Bears possess a talented offense, ranked fifth in the NFL in passing, 13th in the NFL in rushing and second in scoring, averaging 29 points per game, three more points per game than the Eagles. Conversely, the Eagles allow three fewer points per game than the Bears. Chicago has the 5th worst scoring defense, allowing 27.9 points per game.
Jay Cutler leads the Bears at quarterback but it is the receiving core that really makes this team dangerous. With four serious receiving targets in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett and tight end Martellus Bennett as well as all-purpose running back Matt Forte, the Bears have many targets.
The Eagles are expected to have Earl Wolff back in the lineup and Brandon Boykin, injured last week, is also probable to play. That doesn’t mean the Eagles will be fully equipped to stop the Bears aerial attack.
The Bears running game is not as much of a threat. Forte is used equally as a blocker, rusher and receiver, and Michael Bush serves as the Bears second rushing option.
Forte may be the guy to key on for most teams, but the Eagles will want to put pressure on Cutler to make his passes. Good defense could lead to turnovers. Turnovers come at a premium for teams facing the Bears – just 11 team interceptions and seven fumbles. However, 10 of the 11 interceptions belong to Cutler in just nine games this season.
The Eagles will likely have to combine McCoy and DeSean Jackson. Both are determined players who also have milestones on the line. Jackson is just 135 receiving yards away from a single-season franchise record. McCoy is 170 yards off of the single-season rushing record.
It will be interesting to see how the offense makes the most of their possessions. They struggled to get things going early against Minnesota, but in the second half, started to find a way to spread the ball around. Riley Cooper, Brent Celek and Zach Ertz remain popular targets for Foles.
Game Notes
- The Eagles are third on the list of teams with the most 20+ yard plays since 1995, trailing only the 2011 Panthers (90) and the 2001 Rams (96) with 88 plays of 20 yards or more.
- With 25 receiving yards from DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jackson would become the 13th duo in NFL history to combine for 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving.
- The Chicago Bears lead the all-time series against Philadelphia. The Eagles have a 12-30-1 record all-time against the Bears.
- The Bears are 13-7-1 against the Eagles in Philadelphia. At Lincoln Financial Field, the Bears have won both contests between the two teams.
- Last Game: Nov. 7, 2011: Bears 30, Eagles 24
Injury Report
Eagles
Out
- S Kurt Coleman (hamstring) – did not participate in practice
- S Colt Anderson (knee) – did not participate in practice
Probable
- S Earl Wolff (knee)
- CB Brandon Boykin (concussion)
- LB Mychal Kendricks (knee)
- LB Najee Goode (hamstring)
- WR Brad Smith (hamstring)
Bears
Questionable
- LB Lance Briggs (shoulder)
Probable
- WR Brandon Marshall (hamstring)
- WR Earl Bennett (not injury related) – did not participate in practice
Where to Watch
TV: NBC (Broadcasters: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
Radio: 94 WIP (Broadcasters: Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Westwood One (Broadcasters: Kevin Kugler, James Lofton, Hub Arkush)
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet
