Listen up, because what went down on Monday Night Football was wild! Third-stringer Case Keenum, a guy who was literally staring down retirement entering this season, just absolutely demolished the Eagles. He started his first game in three years and led the Bears to a massive 27-7 win. This 38-year-old veteran completed over 70% of his passes and threw for three total touchdowns. It was easily one of the best performances of his career, and honestly, it was jaw-dropping to watch unfold. We haven’t seen Keenum put up three TDs against the Eagles since the 2019 season opener with Washington. Tonight, at age 38, he matched it to lead the Bears to a huge win without Caleb Williams.
The Keenum Blueprint Against Philly
So, how did Keenum, who was on the verge of hanging up his cleats, pull off such a shocking win? A huge part of his success came from getting the ball out fast. His average time to throw clocked in at a blazing 2.41 seconds, the quickest of any quarterback this season with at least 30 passing attempts. It wasn’t by accident either. Bears Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson cooked up a brilliant scheme, opting for a variety of quick passes instead of long-developing plays or rollouts. Keenum and the offense feasted on these all game long, with most of his passes landing in that sweet spot of the 10- to 15-yard range. The Eagles’ defense just couldn’t handle it. They struggled to defend those short, quick plays, and Chicago made them pay.
Stafford’s Opportunity
Now, here’s where it gets interesting for the reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford. The Rams QB is also 38 years old and has all the experience and ability to exploit the same weaknesses Keenum did against a national audience. Sean McVay and Stafford don’t need to completely copy Chicago’s game plan, but adding more quick-play concepts to the Rams’ playbook could absolutely help keep Philadelphia’s pass rush off-balance. Stafford’s average time to throw this season, at 2.67 seconds, isn’t that far off from Keenum’s. While that 2.67 seconds ranks 28th among 36 qualified passers, it’s worth noting that Pro Football Focus says Stafford has actually been taking longer in the pocket throughout his time in LA. This increased time to throw is thanks to improvements along the Rams’ offensive line. Stafford has been using that extra pocket time to target receivers downfield, showing a clear willingness to throw beyond the sticks, highlighted by his 10.1 average depth of target during his 2025 MVP campaign. That’s where Stafford really differs from Keenum. Keenum proved a short passing game can work, but Stafford has shown he can do damage downfield with that extra time.
The blueprint for beating the Eagles is out there, laid bare by a guy who almost retired. Can Stafford and McVay adapt it, maybe even blend it with Stafford’s deep-ball prowess, and bring that same heat to Philly’s defense when they face off? We’re about to find out, and it’s going to be must-watch football.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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