In a desperation game for both teams, Eagles visit Chicago Sunday night….

Both the Eagles (5-4) and “‘da Bears” (4-5) need this upcoming Sunday night game to maintain any realistic chances of making their respective playoff hopes. For the Bears, there is some comfort in hosting the game at Soldier Field in Chicago, knowing that the Eagles are 0-7 so far in Sunday night games on NBC. For the Eagles, the great hope is they can finally figure out a way to establish a running game early and get off to a good start against the berated Bears’ defense. But that statement does not include weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs (6-1, 240, Arizona, 7th year), who has made 4 straight Pro Bowls and presents the biggest threat to stop the intermediate passing game and rushing attack of the Eagles. And the run/screen pass potential of the Eagles has just been diminished by the unfortunate KO of all-purpose RB Brian Westbrook, who suffered his second concussion last Sunday in less than three weeks and will be retired for the season and most likely his career by a concerned Eagles’ medical staff. That leaves it up to the tattered Eagles’ O-line and rookie RB LeSean McCoy to get some kind of rushing attack established early. Without that, QB Donovan McNabb will be left to his streaky fate to find some kind of downfield offense with his best receivers DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and TE Brent Celek. Meanwhile, it will be up to Bears QB Jay Cutler to keep careful possession of the ball, and that will not be easy with DE Trent Cole (7.5 sacks so far this season) and a host of Eagle blitz schemes raining down on him all game long. This game has all the hallmarks of a close, hard-fought chess match that will come down to time-of-possession and takeaways. Although Philadelphia leads the league in takeaways at this point in the season, it has not translated to a superior winning record, largely due to the Birds’ inconsistency and inability to score in the red zone.
Jay Cutler is a pure passer who is not a great game manager (yet). That statement represents both the possible doom and salvation of the Eagles in this crucial NFC match-up. Cutler is as likely to keep both teams in the game as he is to fit the ball into whatever route or pattern he wants. This spells a big opportunity for the Eagles’ secondary to prove they are capable of reading and stopping a quality QB. With any kind of consistent pressure on Cutler in the pocket by the D-Line and the blitz schemes, the Eagles should be able to break down the Bears’ passing attack. But that is a process of attrition. If the Eagles behind McNabb, RB McCoy, FB Weaver,slot receiver Avant, TE Celek, WR Jackson and WR Maclin can’t get it going themselves to build up an early lead, it could be a long night for the Eagles. And I pray there is no fog at Soldier Field. When the fog rolls in, anything goes in Chicago, and I am still shattered from the last time that happened to the Eagles in Chicago.