The Eagles will get all-out efforts from former Bears in running back Jordan Howard and receiver Alshon Jeffery. Former Bears receivers coach Mike Groh is now the Eagles' offensive coordinator. Eagles coach Doug Pederson knows Nagy’s tendencies after working with him for seven years, but that factor could go both ways.
The Bears' loss to the Chargers last Sunday was an example of box score domination failing to result in a victory. The Bears outgained the Chargers by 152 yards, and Chicago held Los Angeles to 17 points. Meanwhile, the Eagles steamrolled a Bills team built similarly to the Bears -- with subpar quarterback play and a strong defense.
After three consecutive losses, the Bears opened as 3-point underdogs, but that was quickly bet up to +5 and the total dropped from 45 to 43. The Bears haven’t been underdogs of at least a field goal since Week 17 of last season, when the Vikings were expected to take a must-win game against the Bears but didn’t.
Road teams rarely prefer to play in front of a nasty Philadelphia crowd, but the Bears offense might get booed less away from Soldier Field. This will be Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s first road test since Sept. 23.
As long as Nagy hasn’t lost his team and there’s still some faith in Trubisky, the Bears should come out of the gates to prove the world wrong. Their defense has allowed the third-fewest points per game in the first half (7) this season before wearing down in the second half. Conversely, the Eagles defense starts slow, giving up the third-most points per game in the first half (16).
The Eagles have the NFL’s second-best offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. Stopping the run between the tackles just so happens to be the Bears' defensive weakness. The Chargers didn’t commit to the run after the Saints and Raiders rushed for a combined 320 yards in the Bears' previous two games. Philadelphia’s coaching staff will get Howard his touchdown if given the opportunity.