PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles’ (8-4) offense was as cold as the frigid weather in South Philadelphia in a 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears (9-3) at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday. The defense allowed over 250 rushing yards for the first time since 2015 while the offense once again looked disjointed for the majority of the game.
With the loss, the Eagles fall behind the Bears in the NFC standings and now are just one loss ahead of Dallas in the NFC East.
Offensive Struggles
The first half was dominated by the Bears in all facets. Chicago controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for 21 of the 30 minutes in the first half, in large part to their great success on the ground, gashing the Eagles’ defense for 142 yards, which is their season average per game.
The Eagles mustered just two first downs while the Bears racked up 16 while Philadelphia was outgained 222 to 83.
Jalen Hurts threw for just 57 yards completing five of his ten passes while DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown combined for just three catches for 41 yards. Saquon Barkley had six carries for 23 yards in the first half.
If there was a silver lining, it was the fact that it was only a 10-3 deficit for the Eagles at halftime with a D’Andre Swift three-yard rushing touchdown being the difference.
Second half not all that better
It did not get any better to start the second half. The Eagles opened up with the ball and quickly went three-and-out for a third consecutive possession. After a Chicago punt, Hurts threw his first interception since Week 6, but the defense held strong and forced a second straight three-and-out for the Bears in the third quarter to avoid the turnover costing the Eagles points.
On the ensuing drive, the offense finally found a rhythm on a drive that started on Philadelphia’s own eight-yard line. The drive started with a 16-yard catch from Brown. A play later, Chicago was called for roughing the passer before Hurts tucked it and ran for 23 yards two plays later before the drive capped off with a 33-yard-touchdown catch by Brown to make it a 10-9 deficit after a missed extra point from Jake Elliott.
On the ensuing Chicago drive, Jalyx Hunt intercepted Caleb Williams near the line of scrimmage to give the Eagles prime field position and chance to take their first lead of the game.
However, on a 3rd-and-one, Hurts fumbled on a Tush Push, giving the Bears the ball back, stopping the momentum Philadelphia had. It marked the second straight game the Eagles had multiple turnovers in a game and the first for Hurts since Week 10 of last season.
Chicago capitalized on just the seventh giveaway of the season by the Eagles, marching 87 yards on 12 plays to take a 17-9 lead thanks to a Kyle Monangai four-yard rushing touchdown with 12:49 left in regulation.
The Eagles went three-and-out once again, trotting off the field to loud boos from the unhappy fans braving the cold weather. The Bears delivered with a nail in the coffin thanks to a 28-yard touchdown catch from tight end Cole Kmet to put the game out of reach 24-9.
Hurts connected with Brown for a second touchdown of the night, from four-yards out to make it 24-15 after a failed two-point conversion with 3:10 left in the game.
A.J. Brown finished the game with 10 catches for 132 yards and two scores. While Jalen Hurts went 19 for 34 for 230 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
In what seemed like it could have been an advantageous matchup for the running game, Barkley had just 56 yards on 13 carries against a Bears defense that allowed former Eagle running back Kenneth Gainwell to gouge them for 92 yards on 10 carries.
With the loss, the Eagles have dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season.
