The quarterback carousel in Chicago is the biggest storyline heading into Monday night’s Eagles-Bears matchup, and it changes the touchdown picture in a big way.
Caleb Williams is already out after hurting his hamstring, and Tyson Bagent won’t be the answer either despite clearing concussion protocol. That leaves 38-year-old Case Keenum to run the Bears’ offense.
In a game like this, that kind of shift matters - especially when you’re trying to project who finishes drives in the end zone. After what happened in Atlanta the first two weeks of the season, the warning sign is obvious: a third-string quarterback can drag an offense down with him.
So the Bears are off my touchdown card tonight.
One of the better plays is DeVonta Smith at +180. The chemistry between Smith and Jalen Hurts looked sharp in the Week 2 win over the Titans, when the two hooked up 10 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Chicago also gave up plenty through the air in Week 1, allowing 361 yards and three touchdowns to Bryce Young and the Panthers.
Tank Bigsby is another name worth circling at +480. Saquon Barkley has the shortest odds to score at -115, but he still hasn’t found the end zone through two games, and there’s reason to wonder how much of a workload he’ll handle after dealing with a stinger. If Philadelphia wants to keep him protected over the long haul, some of those goal-line snaps could go to Bigsby - or even Jalen Hurts.
Hurts himself is also in the mix at +145. With Barkley coming off that injury, it would make sense for Hurts to get a few more designed runs than usual.
Even if that doesn’t happen, he’s still a strong candidate for a red-zone keeper or tush push score. His rushing touchdown drought is now at eight games, including the Eagles’ playoff loss to the 49ers, which is the longest stretch of his career since he became a starter.
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