Preview: Eagles look for ninth consecutive victory as they host the Chicago Bears

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Coming off of a convincing victory over the downtrodden Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles (9-1) will look to improve their eight-game winning streak against the lowly Chicago Bears (3-7) as an ominous two-game stretch on the west coast looms. 


Alshon Looks to Stay Hot Against Former Team

Alshon Jeffery got off to a slow start this season, but his chemistry with Carson Wentz has developed over the least three weeks as he has begun to live up to his elite billing. 

Over the last three games Jeffery has caught 12 passes for 213 yards, four touchdowns, and two two point conversions. Wentz has shown an increased willingness to throw 50/50 balls Jeffery's way as the season has developed, and lately it has rewarded the pair. 

Jeffery spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears this offseason before reuniting with former Bears wide receivers coach Mike Groh in Philadelphia this offseason. As Jeffery continues to play himself into a new contract, look for him to make an example of his former team. 


Similarities between Carson Wentz and Mitchell Trubisky?

Carson Wentz and Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky were both taken with the second overall pick of the NFL Draft, but that is where the comparisons stop. Right?

Not according to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson:

 "We knew last year with Carson as a rookie that there were going to be growing pains and we were going to take some lumps. And also, listen, we just weren't very good as a football team last year, too, and didn't have the surrounding pieces around Carson. You kind of see in Mitch, you see the arm talent, you see the athleticism, the strength. You see good decisions, the accuracy. You see things that flash on tape that you go, 'OK, that's exactly the way Carson was a year ago.'"

Despite the endorsement from the Eagles' boss, Trubisky will have his hands full with an Eagles defense that has tormented quarterbacks all season. 


Injury Report

 

Kicker Jake Elliott left last Sunday's game with a concussion, but he has since cleared the protocol and is a full-go for this Sunday's game with Chicago. Defensive tackle Beau Allen and tight end Trey Burton both found themselves on the injury report Friday after missing practice with a knee and back injury respectively. Expect both to be gameday decisions. 

The Bears enter this game with a lengthy injury report headlined by starting middle linebacker Danny Trevathan. Travathan is doubtful for the game with a calf injury. Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy (concussion), safety DeAndre Houston-Carson (ankle), and defensive end Roy Harris-Robertson (hamstring) join Travathan as doubtful.

The biggest name on the questionable list for the bears is guard and offensive line anchor Kyle Long who is nursing an ankle injury. Cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee), right tackle Tom Compton (ankle), defensive end Akiem Hicks (knee), wide receiver Dontrelle Inman (groin), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), quarterback Mark Sanchez (illness), tight end Dion Sims (illness), and defensive end Mitch Unrein (knee) join Long as the players listed as questionable. 

Unrein, Hicks, McPhee, and Inman are all starters for the Bears. 


Broadcast Information

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Television: FOX| Play-by-Play by Kevin Burkhardt with color commentary by Charles Davis and sideline reports from Pam Oliver

Radio: 94.1 FM WIP | Play-by-Play by Merrill Reese with color commentary by Mike Quick and sideline reports from Howard Eskin

Online: NFL Game Pass

Go to top button