Game Preview
Mike Krueger
Predicted Score: Eagles 24, Bears 20
Philadelphia: I bet Brian Westbrook is licking his chops after watching film of the Bears-Vikings game last week in which Adrian Peterson rushed for 224 yards and 3 TDs. Granted, Westbrook may not have the raw physical power of Peterson but he's elusive, a threat in the passing game, and should give the Bears defense fits. The Eagles however need to be more consistent on offense. They struggled at times during their win against New York last week, failing to make third downs in the passing game. They will need a better performance out of McNabb, Curtis, and Brown to get a victory here but I'm betting they'll be able to take advantage of a Chicago defense that's questioning themselves after getting sideswiped by AD.
- Start: RB Brian Westbrook
- Consider: QB Donovan McNabb, WR Reggie Brown, WR Kevin Curtis, TE L.J. Smith
- Sit: TE Matt Schobel, Eagles-D/ST
Chicago: The Bears find themselves in last place in the NFC North after losing to Adrian Peterson and his 361 all-purpose yards. The good news is the still have Devin Hester who returned yet another punt for a touchdown and caught a game-tying 81-yard TD pass. They'll need more than Hester this week to beat the Eagles in Philadelphia but where's the help going to come from? Running back Cedric Benson is averaging 20 carries per game but has only one 100-yd game to show for it. Brian Griese seems to be an upgrade over the turnover machine, Rex Grossman, but the Eagles are good enough defensively to keep Griese around 200 yards and 1 score.
- Start: RB Cedric Benson, WR Bernard Berrian, TE Desmond Clark, Bears D/ST
- Consider: QB Rex Grossman, WR Muhsin Muhammad, K Robbie Gould
- Sit: TE Greg Olsen