Bears and Eagles Battle Under Night Lights

For the fourth time this season, the Chicago Bears will have a nationally televised game. Having loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Atlanta Falcons, and the San Francisco 49ers in primetime, hopefully this will be the first time the Bears (4-5) win with the nation watching. This week, Chicago will have to get this win when they welcome the 5-4 Philadelphia Eagles into Soldier Field.

Both teams’ passing offenses are similar when it comes to average passing yards per game; Chicago averages 249.1 ypg and Philly averages 250.1 ypg. The one major difference is the number of interceptions of both starting quarterbacks. Jay Cutler is coming off a career-high five interceptions, which gives him a total of 17 on the year. Donovan McNabb has only four. The production of the offense just might fall on the arm of Cutler, since the Eagles are ranked eighth in the league in run defense, and the Bears are still struggling running the ball. Matt Forte will have to be a big part of the passing game, along with Devin Hester, Greg Olsen, and Earl Bennett, if the running game is put to a stop.

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Defensively, the Bears will have to play for the consecutive second week without starting safety Kevin Payne, who is listed as doubtful. Philly’s young receiving corps of second year receiver DeSean Jackson, rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin, and third year tight end Brent Celek will put the Bears’ banged up defense to the test. Chicago’s front seven will have their hands full with McNabb’s ability to pass as well as run the ball. Although Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will be out for this week, rookie LeSean McCoy will carry the load for Philly.

At this point in the season, the Chicago Bears are in a must-win situation. With playoff hopes slipping through their grasp, there is very little room for error. But unlike last year, the Bears shouldn’t rely on other teams to win in order to get into the playoffs. The divisional title seems out of reach, and a wildcard berth is hanging by a thread. If Chicago has any intentions of making a run, it needs to start right now.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent