The s’ 7 victory over the s on Monday, Sept. 28, received’t go down in NFL lore just like the ; or ; playoff wins Da s snatched from Philly at Soldier Area in years previous.
However y may mark an essential waypoint in Chicago’s season because the group survived its first sport with out injured QB Caleb Williams (hamstring) since he was drafted No. 1 total in 2024. It wasn’t essentially fairly, however head coach Ben Johnson dug into his bag and his depth chart whereas serving to engineer a win that prevented the reigning NFC North champions from falling off the divisional tempo at present being set by the undefeated s. The victory additionally permits Williams to proceed his rehab with none notion he must rush again into the lineup.
A take a look at the winners and losers of three’s ultimate sport past the end result on the scoreboard:
WINNERS
Case Keenum
The 14th-year journeyman – technically the Bears’ third-string quarterback – made his debut for this eighth NFL group, beginning his first regular-season sport in additional than 1,000 days whereas s. All Keenum did was move for 247 yards and a pair of TDs whereas additionally scoring his first dashing landing since 2019. Laborious to consider he didn’t earn himself one other begin in 4 towards the s.
Luther Burden III
He missed most of coaching camp and the complete preseason with a groin damage, however is now rounding into kind because the man who appears prone to take over because the Bears' WR1 earlier than later. He scored Chicago’s first TD on Monday – largely a spectacular particular person effort as he bulled his approach in from 8 yards.
LUTHER BURDEN III TOUCHDOWN ON THE OPENING DRIVE!I on ESPN
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Zach Ertz
A hero of the s’ first Tremendous Bowl championship in 2017, the veteran tight finish – again on the town following Dallas Goedert’s knee damage – caught his first move in a Philly uniform since being traded to the s halfway by the 2021 season. Welcome again.
Eagles' NFC East rivals
Philly’s first loss drops the Eagles right into a first-place tie with the s and leaves them solely a sport forward of the s and s within the usually contested division. And now the Eagles face a brief week earlier than a salty s group returns to Lincoln Monetary Area on Sunday.
LOSERS
Jalen Hurts
Whereas the Eagles obtained off to a 2-0 begin, wins over the s and s didn’t present a fantastic barometer of their progress below new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion – they usually have been definitely fortunate to flee Nashville with a win in 2. However Monday’s loss goes to resurface the identical previous questions on Hurts’ efficacy as a passer, notably in a system that requires components – motions, pre-snap changes, throws over the center – that he’s traditionally not employed and allegedly reportedly doesn’t favor. Whereas he did a pleasant job executing a "Tush Push" landing from the 1-yard line as time expired on the finish of the primary half, he wasn’t efficient along with his arm – finishing 16 of 25 throws for 153 yards and a horrendous third-quarter INT to former teammate T.J. Edwards that successfully killed any probability at a comeback. Hurts additionally missed a wide-open Dontayvion Wicks for a fourth-quarter TD that may have given the Eagles life. Alas.
Andy Dalton
The Eagles’ QB2 made his regular-season debut with the group whereas Hurts was being checked for a concussion (he cleared the protocol shortly thereafter) within the second quarter, a flip of occasions that stunted uncommon offensive momentum on this night time. And Dalton’s cameo was sufficiently lengthy for the 38-year-old to throw a drive-killing interception in the long run zone on his solely throw of the night time. Perhaps Philly ought to think about fourth-year backup Tanner McKee subsequent time.
Tyson Bagent
The Bears’ QB2 cleared concussion protocol over the weekend however misplaced out on a treasured alternative to begin a sport, which Bagent hasn’t had an opportunity to do since Williams was drafted. Appears possible that can stay the case this Sunday, too.
Bears' run sport
It ripped by the Eagles for 281 yards in y final season. It wasn’t practically as efficient Monday, although that was to be anticipated with out the risk Williams gives on play-action and RPOs. In the end, the Bears have been in a position to milk the clock late within the sport, however they completed with a pedestrian 128 yards on 35 makes an attempt.
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This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: F
