While the masses were out finishing their Thanksgiving left overs and hurrying around shopping centers, the NFL offered its annual Black Friday game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. Both teams entered the game atop the NFC with 8-3 records, shocking many in and around Chicago. The Bears, led by former number one overall pick out of USC, Caleb Williams, finished 5-12 last season. This year, however, Williams has been remarkable and a key piece in the Bears success this season. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, are in familiar territory as they look to clinch an NFC title once again.
The first quarter would see little to no action until the final minute of the quarter when D’andre Swift, running back for the Bears, plowed forward for a three-yard touchdown to put the Bears up 7-0 early. The Eagles, having run only seven plays in the first quarter, took action in the second as Hurts and company were able to move their way down and into field goal range to make it a 7-3 game. The Bears would add a field goal on their next possession, making the score 10-3 Chicago at halftime. Facing an early deficit, the Eagles got the ball to start the second half, but they were stopped in just three plays and punted it back to Chicago. However, the Eagles scored on their next possession, but a missed extra point and a fumble on their next drive kept them behind in the fourth quarter. The Bears, clinging onto a one-point lead, did not look back as they scored two touchdowns on their first two drives of the fourth quarter: a Kyle Monangai rushing touchdown and a Cole Kmet receiving touchdown. This put the Bears up 24-9, with Chicago ultimately winning 24-15.
With the loss, the Philadelphia Eagles dropped to 8-4; still a respectable record, but it is clear the fans want more out of their squad. The defending champs look sluggish on offense right now: Saquon Barkely is struggling to recreate the impact he had last season when he was the NFL’s leading rusher and Jalen Hurts has been inconsistent throwing the football. The one bright spot from this game, however, is the resurgence of AJ Brown. Brown, who has voiced his frustration with the Eagles and Jalen Hurts throughout the year, broke out with a massive game, catching 10 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles are still one of the best teams in the NFL; however, it is time to finally admit that the Bears are serious contenders and the NFC may not be as clear cut as we thought.
