Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Chicago for a NFC Wild Card playoff game, and will try to figure out how to score points against the ferocious Bears defense.
The defending Super Bowl champs Eagles backdoored a Wild Card berth under the helm of backup quarterback Nick Foles. Over the last two seasons, Foles and the Eagles are 6-0 in must-win games.
Meanwhile, the Bears are 7-1 at home and they won nine out of their last ten games. The Eagles were 4-6 at one point with less than a one percent chance to advance to the postseason. They won five out of their final six games to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC. The Eagles are trying to become the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the Patriots in 2003-04.
#6 Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) at #3 Chicago Bears (12-4)
Kickoff: 1:40pm PT
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Point Spread: Bears -6.5
Over/Under: -41.5
The Bears opened as a four-point favorite, but the public bet the Eagles down to almost a touchdown-dog.
Foles Magic
The Eagles offensive line allowed 40 sacks this season and will try to solve Kahlil Mack (12.5 sacks) and the Bears relentless pass rush. Otherwise, they will have to rely on magic from Nick Foles.
Ever since Carson Wentz went down with a fractured back, Foles stepped into the starting role and has not lost a game with big wins over the LA Rams, Houston Texans, and a 24-0 shutout against the Washington Redskins. Foles threw 6 touchdowns and only two picks over the last two weeks of the season.
Who Has the Better Defense?
The Bears allow only 17.7 points per game, which is best in the NFL. The Eagles are ranked #12 allowing only 21.8 points per game.
The Bears had a strong defense before the Oakland Raiders traded Kahlil Mack to the Bears before the season began. With Mack, the Bears look unstoppable. They lead the league in interceptions (27) and takeaways (36).
The Bears have the top rushing defense in the NFL, allowing only 80 yards per game on the ground.
The Eagles’ lackluster rushing attack is ranked #28 out of 32 teams with only 98.1 yards per game.
Philly has a top 10 run defense but they have a porous secondary that allows 269.3 passing yards per game. They are ranked #30 overall.
Trubisky Time
Second-year QB Mitch Trubisky (24 touchdowns, 12 INTs) will be starting in the first playoff game of his career. He sat out a couple of games nursing a sore shoulder. Trubisky is going up against a veteran QB who won a Super Bowl. In that same situation, inexperienced QBs are 1-9 in the Wild Card round when facing a veteran QB who won the Super Bowl.
If Tarik Cohen gets off to a hot start and can get the run game going early, the Eagles will be in trouble. Cohen generated 1,169 combined yards of offense plus eight touchdowns.
Cohen also has a touchdown pass as well. Head coach Matt Nagy likes to go deep into his playbook and has been known to call trick plays with more frequency than the Eagles.
According to the South Point Casino and Sports Book in Las Vegas, the Chicago Bears are 8-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. The Eagles are the biggest longshot on the board at 28-1 odds to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.