Week 3 wraps up Monday night with an NFC matchup that looked strong on paper and now carries even more intrigue because of Chicago’s quarterback situation. The Philadelphia Eagles head to Chicago as road favorites, while the Bears are suddenly staring at a much different offensive setup than they expected just a week ago.
Caleb Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 2 and is not expected to practice. Tyson Bagent is also in the concussion protocol and is questionable, which leaves veteran Case Keenum as the likely starter for Chicago in Week 3. That puts the Bears in a tough spot in a loaded NFC, especially if Williams ends up missing multiple games.
Philadelphia arrives at 2-0, though not without some close calls. The Eagles still haven’t covered the spread in either win, and Week 2 ended with a huge final drive from Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith to beat Tennessee. That’s the backdrop for a Monday night game that now feels like a test of whether the Eagles can handle business against a depleted Bears team.
There’s still a case to be made for Chicago as the home underdog, even with the quarterback issues. One handicapper pointed to Philadelphia’s offense and defense both being shakier than the record suggests.
The Eagles’ offense ranks 27th in success rate and is averaging 5.3 yards per play, while the defense sits 25th in both opponent rush EPA and opponent rush success rate. That creates an opening for the Bears to stay inside the number.
If Chicago is going to lean on the ground game, D’Andre Swift looks like a central piece. He has 34 carries and six catches through two games, and he’s been on the field for more than 62 percent of the snaps.
Swift scored three times in Week 1, and with the passing game harder to project behind a backup quarterback, he should be featured again. Chicago’s rookie Kyle Monangai is also in the mix as a touchdown option at +180.
On the Philadelphia side, DeVonta Smith is coming off a big Week 2 performance against Tennessee, when he hauled in 10 of 13 targets for 117 yards and a touchdown. Through two games, he has 19 targets and 13 receptions, after opening the season with 53 yards in Week 1 and then breaking out in Week 2.
Chicago’s pass defense ranks 20th in EPA/Pass, and Smith has already shown early chemistry with Hurts now that A.J. Brown is no longer in the picture.
Hurts himself has been efficient through the first two games. He has five touchdown passes, with at least two in each game, and he’s completing 64.5 percent of his throws.
Philadelphia’s offense ranks 13th in EPA/Play and 15th in EPA/Pass, and the Bears have already allowed three passing touchdowns to Bryce Young in Week 1. With Chicago sitting as a bottom-12 team in EPA/Pass, Hurts is in position to keep the passing game moving.
The Eagles also had to adjust in Week 2 when Saquon Barkley was banged up, which pushed them away from the run more than usual. That only adds to the appeal of Hurts through the air in this matchup, and the line on his passing prop looks a little off given how he has started the season.
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