Eagles-Bears Preview

The 2-1 Eagles play their second nationally televised game of the season when they travel to the Windy City to take on the 1-2 Chicago Bears. Our Birds are coming off a 15-6 win over the Steelers, while the Bears blew a 10 point lead and lost in overtime to the Bucs.

Bears Offense vs. Eagles Defense
The Eagles defense looked great against the Steelers last week and the Bears don’t exactly have the best offense, ranked 15th in the NFL. The Eagles defense is second in the entire league, even with the Dallas game. Kyle Orton is not a very good quarterback, and if the Eagles pressure him like they did to Ben Rothlesberger, the Chicago offense will be stalled. The Bears also have rookie HB Matt Forte, who has averaged over 100 yards in his first three games. However, the Eagles have the best rush defense in the entire NFL, allowing about forty yards per game.
Advantage: Eagles

Eagles Offense vs. Bears Defense
The Eagles both have Donovan McNabb & Brian Westbrook listed as Questionable today. While McNabb is likely to play, Westbrook most likely will not. This will affect the Eagles offense, as seen last week. Correll Buckhalter will have to pick up the slack if Westbrook is out. The Bears boast LBs Brian Urlacher & Lance Briggs as well as CB Charles Tillman and DE Adewale Ogunleye, but this Bears defense is not the same as it used to be, being ranked 18th in the NFL.
Advantage: Eagles

Special Teams
Devin Hester is listed as Questionable, and if he’s out for the Bears that will be a huge blow for their special teams. Bears’ kicker Robbie Gould has been used a lot in the last few years, and he has not let them down. David Akers is Mr. Automatic and Sav Rocca is developing into a very good punter.
Advantage: Push

Injuries
Eagles:
Out: DE Victor Abiamiri
Doubtful: OG Shawn Andrews, TE L.J. Smith, WR Kevin Curtis
Questionable: HB Brian Westbrook, QB Donovan McNabb
Probable: FB Tony Hunt, C Jamaal Jackson, DT Dan Klecko

Bears:
Doubtful: OT Chris Williams
Questionable: DT Tommie Harris, KR Devin Hester, WR Brandon Lloyd
Probable: DE Alex Brown, CB Nathan Vasher

Other Information
The Eagles have won their last four in Chicago, and Donovan McNabb has never lost in his hometown. However, the Bears defeated the Eagles in Philadelphia last season, 19-16. While it is rainy and gloomy in the Philadelphia area, it is expected to be clear in Chicago. The Eagles are only 3 point favorites in this game.

Keys to the Game
1. Don’t slouch on defense. Do the same thing they did to Pittsburgh.
2. Put the game out of reach early.
3. Win the Trench Battle on both sides of the ball.

The Prediction: Eagles 23, Bears 13