Bears' defense will test Eagles

What happens when a torrid offense runs into a fire-breathing defense?

We'll see phase two of that experiment Sunday in Chicago.

The Eagles' offense, second in the NFL in scoring entering this week's games, was slowed by the stout Giants defense last time out, but still managed 27 points. Now Michael Vick and company face a Bears team tied for fewest points allowed.

"We have a good offense and they have a good defense. It should be an explosive matchup," said Eagles coach Andy Reid.

The Bears are giving up just 14.6 points per game, while the Eagles' scoring average is a gaudy 28.4. The Eagles have scored 26 or more in all seven of their wins. The Bears have only once allowed more than 20 points. While the teams' strengths contrast, they have matching 7-3 records and places atop their divisions.

Reid compared the Bears to the dominant Tampa Bay defenses of the early 2000s. "You see the aggressive play to the ball and the hustle and all those important things from a defensive team."

Chicago is also coming off a long rest, having last played Nov. 18, two Thursdays ago, and have had a week to study the way the Giants corralled Vick.

They harassed the NFL's top-rated passer with a mix of blitzes and four-man rushes. They sent a speedy safety after him and used their athletic defenders and disciplined pursuit to contain Vick when he ran. Many of the blitzes pushed Vick right, limiting the lefty's throwing options when he scrambled.

Few defenses have the same athletic ability as the Giants, but the Bears might.

"It's a challenge, but every week is going to be a challenge in this league," Vick said. At the end of the year, "you want to say, 'I went up against the best,' and hopefully you did well."

Chicago also ranks second in the NFL - to the Eagles - in takeaways.

"They make a living of getting strips and turnovers," said Vick, who has just one lost fumble and no interceptions this year.

The Bears' defense forces teams to throw underneath, and then closes in on receivers to prevent short gains from turning into long ones, said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

"They are fast and they run through the football and they tackle you before you get to the first down. I mean you see it on film time and time again," Mornhinweg said.

But Mornhinweg has consistently outmaneuvered defenses this season, coming up with new formations and play calls to take advantage of his many weapons. His unit has turned the ball over only 11 times, fourth fewest in the NFL, and has consistently produced points.

And there's this: The Eagles' offense is complemented by a steadily improving defense. The Bears' defense is saddled with an offense that is scoring just 19.1 points per game, 25th in the NFL entering this week.

With the interception-prone Jay Cutler at quarterback, the Bears have committed 22 turnovers, tied for sixth most. The Eagles excel at takeaways, with 26. They have made 19 interceptions, while no one else had more than 15 heading into this week's games.

But the NFL's interception leader, Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, may miss this game with a knee injury.

Even if Cutler holds on to the ball, he has to worry about getting hit. The Bears have allowed a league-worst 37 sacks, while the Eagles are tied for ninth most with 26.

Should the Eagles' offense have a slower-than-usual week, the defense might be in position to make big plays of its own.

That's all assuming, of course, that the Eagles' 26th-ranked punt team can contain Devin Hester, possibly the most dangerous return man of all time.

The Eagles want to limit all punt returners, including Hester, to a seven-yard average, said special-teams coordinator Bobby April.

"We know he is a bigger challenge than most people, but the same goals [exist]," April said.

It's one more intriguing matchup in a game of contrasts.