Bears Continue Winning Streak With Dominant Ground Game
The Chicago Bears delivered a commanding performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, securing their fifth consecutive victory with a 24-15 win at Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday. The Bears' running game proved unstoppable, amassing an impressive 281 yards on the ground against the Super Bowl champions' defence.
Running backs Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift led the charge, with Monangai rushing for 130 yards and a touchdown while Swift added 125 yards and a score against his former team. The Bears' offensive line dominated throughout the contest, setting the tone for a relatively straightforward victory on the road.
Eagles' Offensive Struggles Continue
Philadelphia's recent woes deepened as their offence failed to find rhythm for the second consecutive week. The Eagles managed just 17 plays and two first downs in the first half, accumulating only 83 total yards before the break. Fed-up home supporters voiced their frustration throughout the game, booing the team and calling for offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo's dismissal.
Jalen Hurts completed passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns to AJ Brown, who recorded 10 catches for 132 yards. However, the Eagles' ground game struggled significantly, with Saquon Barkley limited to just 56 yards rushing against one of the NFL's weakest run defences.
Turning Point: Tush Push Turns Tragic
The game's pivotal moment arrived late in the third quarter with Philadelphia trailing 10-9. The Eagles attempted their signature 'tush push' play deep in Chicago territory, but Jalen Hurts fumbled the ball and the Bears recovered. This critical turnover shifted momentum decisively in Chicago's favour.
The Bears capitalised immediately, with Monangai breaking free for a 31-yard run on the first play of the ensuing drive. Quarterback Caleb Williams, who finished 17 of 36 for 154 yards and a touchdown, then completed a crucial seven-yard pass to Colston Loveland on fourth down to extend the possession.
Monangai capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, extending Chicago's lead to 17-9. Williams added insurance with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Cole Kmet, pushing the advantage to 24-9 and prompting many disgruntled Eagles fans to head for the exits.
Season Implications
Under rookie coach Ben Johnson, the Bears improved to 9-3 and now sit alone atop the NFC North division. They head into a crucial 7 December showdown at Green Bay with renewed confidence, a remarkable turnaround from last season's ten-game losing streak that resulted in coach Matt Eberflus's dismissal.
Meanwhile, the Eagles' season continues to unravel. Having seemingly secured the NFC East title just two weeks ago, Philadelphia has now suffered back-to-back defeats that raise serious questions about their Super Bowl credentials. The team's offence appears stuck in a funk that even their reliable 'tush push' couldn't rescue on this occasion.
Jake Elliott's missed extra point following Philadelphia's first touchdown added to the home side's frustrations, while a failed two-point conversion attempt after Hurts and Brown connected for a late four-yard touchdown ensured the game remained a two-score affair until the final whistle.
