Eagles-Bears preview
Recent history: The teams last met Oct. 3, 2004, with the Eagles winning at Chicago, 19-9. The Bears lead the series, 26-11-1.
OFFENSE
Eagles
352.4 yards per game (9th)
Bears
287.7 yards per game (28th)
Quarterback
Eagles: Opposing QBs have a 94.6 passer rating and 67.7 completion percentage against the Bears, which bodes well for Donovan McNabb. He doesn't have the mobility he had before his '06 knee injury, so it's more important than ever that he make quick decisions and get the ball out.
Eagles: Opposing QBs have a 94.6 passer rating and 67.7 completion percentage against the Bears, which bodes well for Donovan McNabb. He doesn't have the mobility he had before his '06 knee injury, so it's more important than ever that he make quick decisions and get the ball out.Bears: Even though he has six interceptions in his three starts since replacing Rex Grossman, Brian Griese doesn't make the blockhead throws Grossman did. He's good at finding a favorable matchup and exploiting it. He has relied heavily on his tight ends since replacing Grossman.
PICK: EAGLES
Running back
Eagles: Brian Westbrook shrugged off his abdominal strain and notched 156 rushing and receiving yards against the Jets. He's not as big, but every bit as elusive in space as the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 224 yards and three TDs against the Bears last week.
Eagles: Brian Westbrook shrugged off his abdominal strain and notched 156 rushing and receiving yards against the Jets. He's not as big, but every bit as elusive in space as the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 224 yards and three TDs against the Bears last week.Bears: The Bears felt confident enough in Cedric Benson to trade away 1,200-yard rusher Thomas Jones in the offseason. But Benson has averaged a puny 3.1 yards per carry. Absence of a vertical passing game has allowed safeties to move up in the box and help with the run.
PICK: EAGLES
Receiver
Eagles: Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown combined for 11 catches and 210 receiving yards last week. With L.J. Smith still nowhere near 100 percent, the Eagles have gotten little production from the TE position (15 receptions, 123 yards and no touchdowns).
Eagles: Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown combined for 11 catches and 210 receiving yards last week. With L.J. Smith still nowhere near 100 percent, the Eagles have gotten little production from the TE position (15 receptions, 123 yards and no touchdowns).Bears: Bernard Berrian has been slowed by a sprained big toe and hasn't been the vertical threat he was in '06, when he averaged 15.2 yards a catch. The Bears finally are giving return man Devin Hester more offensive reps. He had an 81-yard TD catch last week. TEs Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen have been go-to guys.
PICK: EAGLES
Offensive line
Eagles: Teams that have been able to run the ball well against the Bears, including the Vikings last week, were able to consistently get a blocker on MLB Brian Urlacher. Eagles must do the same. Eagles' 22 sacks allowed are just six fewer than they gave up all of last year.
Eagles: Teams that have been able to run the ball well against the Bears, including the Vikings last week, were able to consistently get a blocker on MLB Brian Urlacher. Eagles must do the same. Eagles' 22 sacks allowed are just six fewer than they gave up all of last year.
