The Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears are set to meet under the Monday night spotlight in a Week 3 matchup that carries plenty of intrigue, particularly because of the uncertainty surrounding Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears already have a recent history of giving Philadelphia problems, but Williams’ hamstring injury adds another major variable to a game that could take a very different shape depending on how Chicago approaches the matchup.
Philadelphia enters the contest looking to establish greater consistency on offense after scoring exactly 24 points in each of its first two games. The Eagles have plenty of explosive talent, but their offense has yet to produce the type of sustained dominance many expected coming into the season. Chicago, meanwhile, could lean heavily on its running game if Williams is limited or unavailable, putting pressure on Philadelphia’s defense to stop the ground attack.
The matchup creates several intriguing possibilities. One scenario has Chicago’s defense somehow producing a dominant performance similar to the legendary 1985 Bears unit. Another has Philadelphia controlling the game from start to finish. With the uncertainty surrounding Williams and the contrasting strengths of the two teams, Monday night could ultimately come down to which side executes its preferred game plan more effectively.
Bears’ Running Game Could Explode
One of the biggest opportunities for Chicago could come on the ground. Philadelphia’s defense has not been as dominant against the run as it has been in previous seasons, giving the Bears a potential avenue to control the game and protect their quarterback situation.
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai give Chicago a productive combination in the backfield. Both runners have shown they can make plays when given enough opportunities, and a quarterback injury could encourage the Bears to make them the centerpieces of the offense.
Rather than asking the passing game to carry the offense, Chicago could repeatedly attack Philadelphia’s front seven and attempt to wear down the Eagles as the game progresses. If the Bears establish the run early, it could also open opportunities for play-action passes and shorter throws.
Bold prediction: Swift and Monangai combine for more than 200 rushing yards, taking advantage of Philadelphia’s struggles against the run and allowing Chicago to control large portions of the game on the ground.
Saquon Barkley Faces Another Tough Night
Philadelphia’s biggest offensive weapon could encounter another frustrating performance against Chicago. Saquon Barkley was held in check when these teams met last season, with the Bears limiting him to only 56 rushing yards and keeping him without a reception on two targets during Chicago’s 24-15 victory.
That performance is likely to remain fresh in the minds of Chicago’s defensive staff. Philadelphia will naturally look to get Barkley involved early, but the Bears are expected to make stopping the veteran running back one of their primary priorities.
Barkley remains capable of changing a game with a single explosive run, meaning Chicago cannot afford to focus exclusively on him. However, if the Bears successfully close running lanes and force Philadelphia to rely more heavily on the passing game, Barkley’s impact could once again be limited.
Bold prediction: Barkley finishes Monday night with fewer than 60 rushing yards and fails to record a receiving yard, marking another difficult statistical outing against Chicago.
Makai Lemon Finally Breaks Out
While Barkley could struggle, Philadelphia could receive an unexpected spark from rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon.
The 20th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft has had a quiet beginning to his professional career. Through the Eagles’ first two games, Lemon has recorded four receptions on five targets for only nine receiving yards. He has also received one rushing opportunity that resulted in a five-yard loss.
Those numbers are unlikely to represent what Philadelphia envisioned when it selected him in the first round. However, Monday night’s matchup could provide an ideal opportunity for the rookie to change the narrative.
Chicago’s pass defense has allowed significant yardage through the air, and the Bears will have to devote considerable attention to Philadelphia’s established weapons. DeVonta Smith and the Eagles’ other offensive threats could draw coverage away from Lemon, potentially giving the rookie opportunities in one-on-one situations.
Philadelphia could also deliberately design plays to get Lemon involved early and build his confidence. A few successful catches could quickly change the rhythm of his night.
Bold prediction: Lemon records the first major performance of his NFL career, finishing with five catches on six targets for 55 yards and his first professional touchdown.
Eagles Stay Under 30 Points Again
Perhaps the most surprising prediction is that Philadelphia’s offense will once again fail to reach 30 points.
The Eagles scored 24 points in each of their first two games, continuing a trend that has seen their scoring output fall from the previous season. Philadelphia averaged 27.2 points per game in 2024 before dropping to 22.3 in 2025, and the early results of the 2026 season have not suggested an immediate offensive explosion.
On paper, Monday’s matchup appears to offer Philadelphia a chance to change that. Chicago’s defense has struggled, particularly against the pass, and the Eagles have enough talent to punish a defense that gives their receivers opportunities.
However, Philadelphia’s offense has not consistently taken advantage of those opportunities so far. If Chicago successfully limits Barkley and forces Jalen Hurts to operate without an effective rushing attack, the Eagles could again struggle to produce big numbers.
The expectation is that Philadelphia will control the game without turning it into an offensive shootout.
Bold prediction: The Eagles win 20-10, keeping Chicago’s offense under control while once again finishing below the 30-point mark. The victory would improve Philadelphia’s record, but another relatively modest offensive performance could keep questions surrounding the unit alive.
What the Predictions Mean for Philadelphia
The biggest storyline for the Eagles may ultimately be what happens on offense. Philadelphia has enough talent to score at a much higher rate, but the first two weeks have produced identical 24-point totals rather than the type of explosive performances expected from a team with Jalen Hurts, Barkley and a talented receiving corps.
Monday night’s game could therefore serve as another test of the offense’s identity.
If Barkley is contained, Philadelphia will need Hurts and the passing game to consistently move the football. If Chicago’s defense succeeds in taking away Philadelphia’s preferred rushing attack, the Eagles could once again find themselves relying on individual plays rather than sustained drives.
At the same time, the matchup provides an opportunity for Lemon to become a larger part of the offense. A breakout performance from the rookie would give Philadelphia another weapon and potentially make the offense more difficult to defend later in the season.
For Chicago, the situation is even more straightforward. If Williams cannot operate at full strength, the Bears will need their running game and defense to carry a greater portion of the responsibility. Swift and Monangai could become central to that plan, while the defense will be tasked with containing Barkley and preventing Hurts from creating explosive plays.
Ultimately, the boldest prediction is that Philadelphia wins without producing the offensive explosion many expected. A 20-10 victory would give the Eagles another win, but it would also leave the team with a familiar question: when will the offense finally begin playing at the level its talent suggests it can reach?
Monday night could provide another important piece of that answer.
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