By Jeff Joniak--
(WBBM Newsradio) -- The Bears (12-4) host the Eagles (9-7) in a wild-card round matchup at Soldier Field on Sunday, with a 3:40 p.m. kickoff. The game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780. Here are my keys to the game.
Offense
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will face heat from the Eagles, who led the NFL in pressures. Trubisky's feet could alleviate some of it by adding to the 31 first downs that he rushed for in the regular season. The Bears' offensive line doesn't get enough credit for pass protection. It allowed only 64 hits on the quarterback (the second-fewest in the NFL) and had just three holding penalties (the fewest in the NFL).
Getting the ground game going on first down would relieve some of the pressure, but the Bears are rushing for just 3.9 yards on first down, which ranked 29th. Jordan Howard is averaging 4.5 yards per carry in his last five games after 100-plus yard games against the Rams and Vikings. Tarik Cohen is a matchup problem for the Eagles, and the Bears utilizing him as they did against the Patriots and Giants will help move the chains and control the clock.
The Eagles allowed the second-most receptions in the NFL to running backs. Philadelphia's secondary is thinned out by injury but also settling in a bit, with six interceptions and six touchdown passes permitted in the past six games. Still, the Eagles were only one of three teams that permitted more than 3,000 passing yards to receivers for the season, and that's an area the Bears should try to exploit.
Neutralizing Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will be a chore for the interior three of the Bears' offensive line. The long and strong Cox had 10.5 sacks for the season and 40 pressures in the past six games. Starting fast, controlling the clock and finishing drives against the league's best red-zone defense will all be key factors for the Bears.
Defense
Can the Bears' front seven rattle Eagles quarterback Nick Foles? The numbers say yes. The Bears' 50 sacks were the third-most in the NFL, and they led the way with 27 interceptions.
In leading the Eagles to wins in the final three regular-season games, Foles completed 77 percent of his passes for 8.5 yards per attempts, with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Eleven of Foles' 16 completions to receiver Alshon Jeffrey have been first downs. Slowing him down will help build a foundation for the Eagles, who are patient, with Foles taking what the defense gives before attempting to strike deep.
Philadelphia's main weapon is Zach Ertz, who's 116 receptions set an NFL single-season record for tight ends. The Bears have been strong against tight ends, allowing the sixth-fewest passing yards (641) to them in the regular season. The Bears have to get physical with Ertz at the line of scrimmage and during his route, then make sure to attack him at the catch point.
Darren Sproles is another target in the Eagles' arsenal -- especially on third downs -- and he' still a threat in the red zone at 35. The Bears defense needs to play to its potential and avoid the big plays that flip field position or put points on the board. The Bears will look to curtail the Eagles' ground game with the NFL's best rushing defense (80.0). The Eagles rotate Sproles, Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood in the backfield, and Philadelphia has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the past five games.
The Chicago defense has played fast all season and limited yards after contact. The same goals will apply for this matchup.
Special teams
Bears kicker Cody Parkey's foot will be needed in the playoffs. He's 23-of-30 on field goals and 42-of-45 on extra points this season. One of those missed extra points was in the win at Minnesota in the regular-season finale last Sunday.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, a La Grange native, is on a roll, making 16 of his past 17 field-goal attempts. The Eagles are sixth in punt coverage (6.3 yards), so they will be tested by Cohen, an All-Pro returner who averaged 12.5 yards on punt returns.
The Eagles have outstanding speed and physicality on their coverage unit and will need to be blocked well if the Bears are to spring Cohen.
Intangibles
Asking for a raucous response from the home crowd, Bears coach Matt Nagy is looking for the ground to shake by the lake. He feels Soldier Field becoming more and more of an uninviting venue for visiting teams after the Bears went 7-1 at home in the regular season.
The Bears were plus-12 in turnover differential, while the Eagles were minus-6, so that's another key area to watch.
The Eagles were last in first quarter scoring with 41 points, and the Bears permitted just 38 points in that period. It's a big reason why the Bears led at some point in the second half of all 16 games this season.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
