The Eagles are staring down a ghost from last year, and this time, the ghost is faster, stronger, and running for more yards than anyone’s seen in nearly half a century. Avoiding a repeat of last year’s Black Friday stomping is priority number one tonight, and the numbers say that is going to be a brutal ask. Last November, the Bears ran all over them for 281 rushing yards in a 24-15 loss, which was the 10th-most ever against the Eagles and the 5th-most ever in Philly. That game was a beatdown, with the Eagles missing a shocking 13 tackles.
The Bears’ Ground Game Is Historic, And the Eagles Have Zero Answers
You just know that film from last season’s beatdown has been painful to watch. Jordan Davis even said it, “It’s a painful week because you have to watch that film over again,” but also, “it’s very enlightening, especially playing a scheme that’s kind of similarish with our offense, just providing those cutback lanes and stuff like that. So it’s one thing about just going out there and being disciplined. It’s another thing about just playing style and being a defense that we know we are.” Well, the Bears are picking up right where they left off, maybe even better. After just two games this year, they’re not just good, they’re straight up dominating. They’re No. 1 in the entire NFL in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and yards per carry. Get this: they’re the first NFL team in 46 years, since Billy Sims and the 1980 Lions, to put up at least 425 yards, average 6.1 yards per carry, and score six rushing touchdowns after two games. That’s insane! Meanwhile, the Eagles’ run defense is struggling big time, sitting at 24th in the league at 127 yards per game, 19th in yards per carry at 4.2, and tied for 23rd allowing three rushing touchdowns. It’s a scary matchup, plain and simple, no matter who’s under center for the Bears.
Philadelphia’s Offense Can Make Them Pay For It
Alright, so the defense has a massive challenge, but the offense should have some real opportunities to light up the scoreboard. The Bears’ defense, under Dennis Allen, has a clear identity: pressure the quarterback, play super aggressively behind it, and trust their corners to handle tough matchups out wide. While they have some solid individual defenders, that aggressive style combined with what seems like a lack of talent across their “back end” should give the Eagles’ offense chances in both the passing and running games. Plus, Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is only blitzing 24.2% of the time. Compare that to Flores’ 75.9%, and the offense might feel a little more comfortable back there. It’s also worth noting the Bears’ confidence poll took a hit, dropping 20 points to 74% this week after a loss and the Caleb Williams injury. This game is going to be a wild ride, and the Eagles’ offense needs to show up big if they want to avoid another physical beating. Can they do it? We’ll find out tonight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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