After Caleb Williams was carted off the field last Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles' matchup against the Chicago Bears seems much easier to deal with on the surface. Chicago managed just a field goal in a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, evening their record at 1-1. Meanwhile, the Eagles have posted consecutive 24-point weekends in wins over the Washington Commanders and the Tennessee Titans to kick-start the season.
If Philadelphia arrives in Chicago with DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley healthy, there is little reason to believe that Jalen Hurts won’t get the job handled in Week 3. In a feel-good moment, Zach Ertz grabs a critical touchdown before halftime in his return to Midnight Green colors.
Meanwhile, the Eagles' defense can handle a Chicago offense whose entire game plan was thrown into chaos without its star quarterback. While anything can (and often does) happen on Monday Night Football, Philly should be flying home with another win to start the 2026 season after neutralizing the Bears in Chi-Town.
Player of the Game: Jalen Hurts
Final Score: Eagles win 24-6
Discipline will be the keyword for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. With Caleb Williams and their second-string quarterback out, the Eagles still have to stay focused on the task ahead: defeating the Chicago Bears. The offense found the rhythm late in the game against the Tennessee Titans with their quick passing attack. The momentum needs to carry over to Monday night, and the offense needs to realize that their new identity is pass-first.
They need to take advantage of this matchup and build on their win in Tennessee while adding a fresh Saquon Barkley to their game plan on both passing and rushing. Defensively this feels like a Cooper DeJean game. The Eagles' defense has yet to force any takeaways and like Vic Fangio said this week they are "due".
Final score: Eagles 28 – Bears 10
Player of the game: Cooper DeJean
In a game I originally had the Eagles losing in our season predictions, I have to change my stance due to the Caleb Williams injury.
While the Eagles can’t overlook Case Keenum, who appears to be in line to start for Chicago, Philadelphia’s defense has a chance to be the reason they start 3-0. While they can't gamble or overpursue on tackles to try and force their first takeaway, the Eagles should be able to neutralize the passing game. It's a matter of stopping the rush, something everyone remembers from a year ago when the Bears dominated the Eagles up front to the tune of 281 yards on the ground.
Jalen Hurts and the receivers should have plenty of opportunities against a Bears secondary that has struggled to start the season. Expect DeVonta Smith to have another big game and find the end zone.
Final Score: Eagles 27, Bears 17.
Philadelphia’s defensive line will be the difference on Monday night. The Eagles were embarrassed by the Bears last season, especially up front; that performance will be fresh in this defense's mind. Fangio will look to confuse the Bears QB with disguise, create consistent pressure, and make life difficult for whoever is running Chicago’s offense. The Eagles have the talent and depth up front to dictate the game, which should let the rest of the defense play aggressively.
I expect the first defensive turnover of the season. On the other side of the ball, Philadelphia should do enough offensively to take advantage of their opportunities. The Eagles are heading to the Windy City with something to prove on both sides of the ball. I expect an improved running game and the type of performance from Jalen Hurts we have come to expect to complete a dominant win.
Final Score: Eagles 30, Bears 13.
This is a huge opportunity for the Eagles. The Bears will come limping into this matchup and as a result, this should be a dominant affair on both sides of the ball. But as things stand, Chicago leads the league in rushing yards per game and will rely on that even moreso without Caleb Williams at the helm. It'll be a tough night of sledding for the Eagles defense, especially one yet to record a turnover.
Offensively, it should be as seamless as ever though, so I'd expect Chicago to protect the rock, finally involve Colston Loveland, and keep Philly off the field, while the Eagles offense marches down and scores almost instantaneously every offensive possession. A slow-grind on one side, a rapid rush on the other, and a final score that looks more lopsided than it ultimately was.
Final Score: Eagles 27, Bears 17
Player of the game: Jalyx Hunt
MORE: How the Eagles are reshaping their rushing attack
