The #6 seed Eagles travel to Chicago to take on the #4 seed Bears in the Wild Card round of the NFC playoffs. The Bears lead the all time series 30-14-1, but the Eagles have won 3 straight dating back to 2013.
The Eagles finished the regular season with a 24-0 shut out of the Redskins. In week 15, they beat the Rams 30-23, and in week 16 they beat the Texans 32-30.
The Bears closed their season out with a 24-10 win over Minnesota. In week 15, they beat the Packers 24-17, and in week 16 they beat the 49ers 14-9.
BetOnline has the Bears as 6 point favourites with an O/U total of 41.
Nick Foles has the Eagles offense playing at a level relative to their run from last season, and completed 25 straight passes in week 17. In 5 games, Foles has thrown for 1413 yards, 7 TDs, and 4 INTs while completing 72.3% of his passes and averaging 7.2 YPA. Zach Ertz has been dominant at the tight end position, catching 116 balls for 1163 yards and 8 TDs. Alshon Jeffery (65/843/6), Nelson Agholor (64/736/4), Dallas Goedert (33/334/4), and Golden Tate (30/278/1 in 8 games) are huge factors as well. Josh Adams leads the team in rushing, carrying the ball 120 times for 511 yards and 3 TDs, while Wendell Smallwood (87/364/3) and Darren Sproles (29/120/1) are involved as well.
The Eagles defense ranks 12th in scoring defense, allowing 21.8 PPG. Their passing defense ranks 30th, allowing 269.2 yards per game and 22 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranks t-8th with 44 sacks. The Eagles run defense ranks 7th, allowing 96.9 yards per game and 14 TDs on the ground. Their defense has forced 17 turnovers (t-22nd) and as a team they own a -6 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Sidney Jones (hamstring) – questionable
WR Mike Wallace (ankle) – doubtful
QB Nick Foles (ribs) – questionable
The Bears offense is solid, but has cooled off for the most part after a few big outbursts early in the season. Mitch Trubisky has thrown for 3223 yards, 24 TDs and 12 INTs on the year while completing 66.6% of his passes and averaging 7.4 YPA. Taylor Gabriel (67/688/2), Allen Robinson (55/753/4), Trey Burton (54/569/6), and Anthony Miller (33/423/7) share the love in the pass game but Tarik Cohen leads them in receptions with 71 for 725 yards and 5 TDs. On the ground, Cohen (99/441/3) and Trubisky (68/421/3) supplement Jordan Howard who leads the team with 250 carries for 935 yards and 9 TDs.
The Bears own the #1 scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 PPG. Their passing defense ranks 7th, allowing 219.7 yards per game and 22 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranks t-3rd with 50 sacks. The Bears run defense ranks 1st, allowing just 80 yards per game and 5 TDs on the ground. They have forced 36 turnovers (1st) and as a team they own a +12 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
WR Allen Robinson (ribs) – questionable
WR Taylor Gabriel (ribs) – questionable
S Eddie Jackson (ankle)- questionable
This game should be more interesting than the 6 point spread would have you believe. The Eagles just have lightning in a bottle with Nick Foles late in the year, and you best believe he’s going to come out slinging it. The Bears front 7 will shut down the Eagles run game, putting the game in Foles’ hands, and we know he’s fearless to the point of occasional recklessness, which is what is needed to put up points on this Bears defense. Up front, the Eagles do have the offensive line capable of slowing down the fearsome Bears pass rush.
The Bears offense really is not all that impressive, especially when they cant get their run game going. The Eagles front is very solid, and capable of not only slowing down the Bears run game but also putting Trubisky under duress. Trubisky is still developing as a passer, and when under pressure has shown he will make bad decisions. If the Eagles can flip a few possessions their way by forcing a turnover or 2, they will be in prime position to strike. This should be a fun chess match type of game, and with a bit of Nick Foles magic the Eagles will cover and possibly win the game outright.
Final Pick: Eagles (+6)
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