2009/11/20

Eagles Look to Bounce Back Against Bears

The Eagles travel to Donovan McNabb’s hometown this weekend to take on the Chicago Bears who currently stand at 4-5. The Eagles will try to bounce back after losing two straight games to the Cowboys and Chargers.

Traveling to Chicago isn’t exactly the ideal situation in trying to break a 2 game losing streak. Even though the Bears aren’t playing well, and Cutler has been flat out bad this year, it is never easy to play a road game in Chicago. McNabb does always seem to play well there though when he goes back home. The defense has to bounce back after a disappointing performance against the Chargers. The defense has had to battle through injuries as of late, and might even be without Sheldon Brown this weekend. Sheldon Brown has never missed a game in his career, and is one of the veteran leaders on defense. Due to injuries and suspensions, the Eagles are very thin in the secondary, and at the linebacker position. As of now, the Eagles have not brought in any help at the cornerback position.

On offense, the Eagles will obviously be without Brian Westbrook, which unfortunately, they are probably used to by now. Just like the cornerback position, as of right now, the Eagles have not brought in a running back to help out at the position. LeSean McCoy, rookie phenom, should get most of the carries. In Andy Reid’s offense, this means he will get about 5-7. When Westbrook has been out this year, the Eagles have also given Leonard Weaver a good amount of carries each game, which they should continue to do.

The Bears have struggled all around at points this season. Even in recent years, when the Bears have not been good, their defense was always good. This year their defense isn’t bad against the pass, but is 21st against the run. The Eagles have played teams who struggle stopping the run already this year, but have not yet taken advantage of it, and Andy Reid is to blame for that. I believe the Eagles need to run the ball effectively to win this game. The offensive line finally pass blocked well against San Diego… unfortunately, they couldn’t open up any hole against an average San Diego defensive line. The offensive line has also been an area on the Eagles that is banged up, and they have not done a great job getting a push on the defensive line for the running backs. The Bears have also struggled on offense, mostly because Cutler has been bad, and Matt Forte has regressed in his sophomore season.

The Eagles need this win badly, but it won’t be easy. If the defense can hold up, the offense should be able to put the points on the board to win… assuming Andy Reid doesn’t lose the game with his play calling.

2 comments:

CASE GILBREATH said...

Hey, don't forget about the free ticket giveaway Bears vs. Rams December 6 on www.ticketchest.com. The drawing takes place Nov. 24. Don't miss this!!

T-Bone said...

Wow, Case, certainly wouldn't want to miss the Bears vs Rams...Actually, even a free giveaway for that ticket seems to be a rip off; they should give the "winner" a C-Note just to accept possession of that crappy stub.

Regarding the Birds-Bears, the key phrase in KC's excellent analysis is "...assuming Andy Reid doesn't lose the game with his play calling." As we all know, that "if" is as homongous as Big Red's backside. Given little spoiled brat Cutler's propensity for tossing balls directly into the hands of the opposition, the Birds should take this one handily even despite Reid's best attempts to screw it up. Cutler is an absolute abomination (which, despite his overblown hype in media circles, the Denver brain trust knew), and the Bears' D is nothing to write home about. This would ordinarily be a laugher were it not for the highly toxic BR (Big Red) factor. So, as usual thanks to Reid, Philly fans will have to bite their nails regardless of a far weaker opposition.