We wrap up our early slate of games with one that could be the most lopsided of the day. The Chicago Bears (3-7) make their way to Lincoln Financial Field to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles (9-1).
The game will be pumped into your home, office or eatery via the FOX television network and its affiliates at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles (-14)
O/U: 44.0
The History
The Eagles and Bears have faced off 43 times since 1933 with Chicago holding a commanding 29-13-1 advantage in the all time series.
The Eagles have won the last two meetings between the two teams, 54-11 in 2013 and 29-14 last season.
CHICAGO BEARS (3-7)
I’m delivering a lot of tough love here as the final push begins and it’s time for the Bears to get their allotment. You’ve done good, kids. You’re full of spunk and moxie and all that other 1940s jargon. You played the hand you were dealt and played it well. But it’s time to fold, pal. Cash in your chips. Tie one on at the old speakeasy and call it a night.
In short, you’re done, son.
It would take running the table at this point, plus some help, to make the playoffs and we all know that’s not happening. Chicago dropped a heartbreaker to the Detroit Lions last week, losing 27-24 in the fourth quarter. Mitchell Trubisky was 18 of 30 for 179 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. That’s good. That’s something they can take into the off-season. Trust me, Bears. It looks like you’ve got your quarterback. Just look at the team you’re facing off against this week. Once you’ve got that settled, lots of good stuff can happen.
Jordan Howard carried the ball 15 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. He has 841 yards on the year and five touchdowns. Barring injury or setback, he should notch his second 1,000 yard season. When Chicago’s actual starting wide receivers are healthy next season, it’ll be interesting to see what they do. It would be in the team’s best interests to just lose out and land another high pick, but they probably won’t. Too bad for them.
The Bears don’t have anyone officially listed as out, but they do have some guys that are doubtful. Joshua Bellamy, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Roy Robertson-Harris and Danny Trevathan all could miss the game.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-1)
After dismantling the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday in a 37-9 beat down, the Eagles can go ahead and accept the NFC East crown, even if they haven’t officially mathematically eliminated everybody yet. We all know what’s up. Their sites have to be higher.
The Eagles control home field advantage and, let’s be honest, this Bears game should be no more than a speed bump onto their final five games of the season. There, they face just three real tests. The first comes next week when they travel to CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks. They follow that up with a head to head battle between Carson Wentz and Jared Goff in the Los Angeles Coliseum against the Rams. They wrap up the season in a rematch with a full strength Cowboys team likely fighting for its playoff life. It’s going to be interesting.
Wentz isn’t getting a lot of MVP talk from what I can hear, but he’s got as good a case as anybody. On the season he’s completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,430 yards, 25 touchdowns and just five picks.
The Pick
The Bears have spent the last month as competitive losers, finding new ways to snatch defeat in the final quarter. They’ve done it against solid opponents like the Saints and Lions, but this Philadelphia team is a whole other monster. The worry when lines get this big is a garbage time score or simply the fact that head coaches just want to win. They don’t give a damn about point spreads. Still, I think Philly is safe here. Eagles 34, Bears 16
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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