There is no denying that there is plenty of differences between the Eagles matchup with Chicago Bears this Sunday and the one in 2017.
For one, the Bears have a new head coach. They will have five new starters one defense, including one — Khalil Mack — that might be MVP of the league. They have a second-year quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky as opposed to the rookie version of Trubisky that started last season.
There are, however, some similarities and lessons that can be learned from the Eagles 31-3 beatdown of the Bears last season.
The first is that the Bears have the same defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, that they did last year. That is an important note, as head coach Doug Pederson will be playing chess against the same coordinator this Sunday that he was able to score 31 points on. Pederson's offense dropped 420 totals yards of offense, 24 first downs, 175 rushing yards and 37 minutes of possession against Fangio last year. In 2016, with a rookie quarterback in Carson Wentz, Pederson's offense put up 29 points on Fangio's defense in Chicago.
The Bears' defense is different, without question, but Fangio will be working with some of the same players this Sunday that he did last season.
Defensive tackle Aikeem Hicks played in that game, as did the entire Bears' secondary that is expected to start this Sunday. Hicks register just one pressure in 54 snaps. The secondary that will started this Sunday allowed eight catches for 84 yards to receivers Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor last season.
The major upgrades have been, outside of Mack, at linebacker as the Bears will have Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith and Leonard Flloyd this Sunday — played that didn't suit up in 2017 vs. the Eagles. There is no question those players should make a difference this Sunday.
The Eagles' defense can also walk into Solider Field on Sunday with some confidence off of last year's game.
The Bears will start four-of-the-five starters on the offensive line that they did last season. The Eagles' defensive line had plenty of success against the Bears' offensive line last season, finishing with two sacks and nine pressures. Defensive end Brandon Graham had an especially good day against Bears right tackle Bobby Massie, finishing the day with one sack and three pressures. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox also had a big game against the Bears with one sack, one quarterback hit and two hurries.
The biggest difference on the Bears' offense is the skill players they will lean on this Sunday. Last season against the Eagles the Bears didn't have tight end Trey Burton, receiver Allen Robinson or receiver Taylor Gabriel. So this Sunday will be an entirely new challenge for the Eagles' secondary.
Overall, however, there are some important takeaways from last season. Pederson throughly outcoached Fangio, the Eagles' defensive line dominated the Bears' offensive line and the Eagles' offensive line didn't allow Hicks to get anything going.
Even with all of the changes between the two teams, those are positives the Eagles can take into this Sunday's game.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
