Bears Clip Eagles 31-26
Sunday’s contest between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles featured the NFC North and East leaders, respectfully, in a matchup of high powered offensive fireworks that left the Eagles on the short end of a 31-26 score.
In spite of the hype and recent success of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, the game was overshadowed by the exploits of the Bears offense, particularly the surgical performance of Vick’s cross-field counterpart Jay Cutler. The Bears QB shredded the banged up Eagles secondary for 247 yards, four touchdowns, and perhaps most importantly, zero interceptions. The absence of cornerback Asante Samuel, the key playmaker for this defense, was clearly felt, as Cutler was able to earn nearly a perfect passer rating as well as a victory against them.
Soldier Field saw the Eagles win the opening coin toss and elect to receive, and after a 29 yard return by Jorrick Calvin, Vick took to the field for the Eagles first possession. After handing the ball off to McCoy and Buckley for two short gains, 3rd down saw Vick out of the shotgun sacked for a nine yard loss. The Eagles would punt and immediately force a three and out for Chicago, tacking on a sack of their own (Trent Cole). Desean Jackson would return the ensuing punt 35 yards to the midfield line where Vick and McCoy combined on a 26-yard drive to get into field goal range. Three points later, courtesy of a David Akers 45 yard field goal, the Eagles would have their first and only lead of the ball game.
From there the Bears offense took over with a series of big plays including a 61 yard run by Matt Forte. Cutler’s first touchdown pass of the game, a ten-yarder to Earl Bennett, capped of a two-minute, 79-yard scoring drive to put the Bears up 7-3. Philly’s third possession would see Vick flushed and chased through a quick three and out without a single designed run play. After a Sav Rocca punt, Jay cutler would connect with Devin Hester for 39 yards, and then two plays later with Johnny Knox for a 20-yard touchdown. Little more than 2 minutes had elapsed since the punt and Chicago had already established a 14-3 lead.
Vick and the Eagles however would respond on the next drive. On five consecutive shotgun sets, Vick would complete three passes for 45 yards (each to a different receiver) to end the first quarter. An 8-yard run by McCoy off the right guard then set up a 3rd and 2, followed by a designed end around to Desean Jackson to successfully convert. After incompletions on 1st and 2nd down, a 3rd and goal connection between Vick and Jeremy Maclin spelled an 8 yard touchdown…10-14.
The next Bears possession featured a defensive stand, highlighted by a 3rd down sack by Brandon Graham to force a punt. The Eagles would capitalize. On 2nd down, McCoy broke outside for 18 yards, followed by 21 and 10 yard completions to Jackson and Maclin respectively to set up first and goal from the Chicago ten yard line. At this point the momentum had shifted and it appeared the Eagles were about to take over the game. However the Bears D would come up big, forcing 3rd and goal after an incomplete pass and a 7-yard Vick scramble. The ensuing play would see Vick chased and eventually sacked by Julius Peppers for a 14-yard loss, leaving the Eagles with only a field goal and Chicago with the lead.
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The defense would have none of it though, turning out an impressive series. After a short run by Forte, Dimitri Patterson and Trent Cole would combine for back to back sacks to force a punt. With 6:15 left in the half, Vick would move the ball methodically down the field with short passes and check downs to McCoy. However the drive which had covered 42 yards, all the way down to the Bear’s 4 yard line, would end tragically for the Eagles. On 2nd and goal, Vick’s pass, intended for Jeremy Maclin, was intercepted and returned 39 yards to the Chicago 37. It was Vick’s first interception of the season. From there Jay Cutler would go 63 yards in just over one minute, completing a 6-yard pass to Earl Bennett for the touchdown, ending the half 21-13 Bears.
The second half would feature the insane athleticism and explosiveness of Bear’s receiver and kick returner Devin Hester, who on the first drive of the third quarter, burned up 80 total yards to set up a Greg Olsen 9-yard touchdown. With the score now 28-13, Vick set up in the shotgun for three straight plays. After an incompletion and another sack, McCoy’s 13-yard 3 rd down run came up short and the Eagles were forced to punt. The ensuing Bears drive would chew up ten minutes of clock and end with a 23-yard Robbie Gould field goal to make the lead 31-13.
The Eagles would get the ball back and run just three plays before the fourth quarter. Following a 4 th and 1 conversion on the Chicago 31 yard line, a designed screen to LeSean McCoy would go for 21 yards down to the eight yard line. Again however the Bears defense would quiet the threat, stopping the Eagles short of the four yard line to force another field goal. With the score now 31-16, the defense got a stop and Vick the ball back with 8:19 left in the game. Despite some nice gains through the air, the drive was again stalled and the 36 yard field goal from Akers made it a 12 point game. Another defensive stop put the ball in Vick’s hands with just over four minutes left.
After a 7-yard completion to Jason Avant on 1st down, the Eagles went no-huddle, shotgun set, springing McCoy for 5, 7, and 12 yard receptions before spiking the ball on 1st down to stop the clock. Three plays later, on 4th and 9, Vick completed a masterful 30 yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek to make it a one-possession game. The ensuing on-side kick was unsuccessful however, and Jay Cutler would take three consecutive knees to end the game.
On the offensive side of the ball the Eagles actually had a pretty good game. Vick threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns despite being chased virtually the entire game by Julius Peppers and the Bear’s relentless blitz schemes. Chicago just had a great offensive day. The Eagles will look to bounce back on their Thursday night showdown with the Houston Texans, a matchup that will require the Eagles defense to show up in big way. With the likely return of cornerback Asante Samuel, the D may be able to do just that. I’m taking the Birds in this one.
By
Michael Londino
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer