Eagles vs. Bears Preview: What to watch for in Monday Night Football

The Eagles take a 2-0 record into Soldier Field on Monday night to face the 1-1 Chicago Bears, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC. Philadelphia is favored by 3.5 points in a matchup between two teams that both won their divisions in 2025.

Eagles look to build on 2-0 start

Case Keenum is officially expected to start tonight for the Bears.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/NO5ZnRAJCz

— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) September 28, 2026

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Philadelphia opened the season with a 24-22 win over the Commanders before winning a 24-20 comeback game in Tennessee. Jalen Hurts completed 26 of 37 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in that Titans win, though he also threw two interceptions. Through two games, the Eagles offense ranks 13th in EPA per play and 15th in EPA per pass, operating without AJ Brown, who is now with the Patriots. DeVonta Smith has taken over as the top target, catching 13 of 19 targets for 170 yards and a touchdown, including a 10-catch, 117-yard game against the Titans in Week 2.

Saquon Barkley has 19 carries for 92 yards (4.8 yards per attempt) so far this season. On the interior offensive line, Cam Jurgens has shifted to left guard following Landon Dickerson’s placement on injured reserve.

Bears will be without starting quarterback Caleb Williams

Chicago will be without quarterback Caleb Williams, who is sidelined by a hamstring injury and will miss his first NFL game since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2024. Case Keenum is expected to start in his place. Bagent cleared concussion protocol after being hurt in relief of Williams against the Vikings, going 5 of 9 for 54 yards in that appearance. Keenum, who last started an NFL game in 2023 with the Texans, has 80 career appearances, 66 starts, and 15,175 passing yards.

The Bears enter Monday leading the NFL in rushing offense at 212.5 yards per game. D’Andre Swift (34 carries, 169 yards, three touchdowns) and Kyle Monangai (20 carries, 147 yards, one touchdown) have carried that ground attack, including a 291-yard rushing performance against the Panthers in Week 1. Philadelphia’s run defense ranks 27th in EPA per rush this season, allowing 4.2 yards per carry.

Key matchups and injury notes

On the defensive side, Eagles coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit — led by Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean — will be tested by Chicago’s rushing attack. One matchup to watch is Bears right guard Jonah Jackson against Carter, who recorded a fourth-quarter sack against the Titans that forced a field goal. On the other side of the ball, Bears defensive end Montez Sweat will line up against Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson.

Other Eagles players in featured roles Monday include edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, who has generated seven pressures without a sack through two games with Jonathan Greenard sidelined; wide receiver Makai Lemon, working back from a hamstring injury with four catches for nine yards so far; safety Andrew Mukuba, who has allowed completions on both targets thrown his way; and wide receiver Darius Cooper, who caught the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left against the Titans.

The two teams last met on Black Friday in Philadelphia, where the Bears won 24-15 behind 281 rushing yards.