Why the Eagles-Bears Monday Night Game Comes Down to Backup Quarterbacks and the Trenches
The last game of NFL Week 3 lands in Chicago. On Monday night, the Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
The two teams arrive from opposite directions. The Eagles are 2-0 and leading the NFC East after beating the Commanders 24-22 and the Titans 24-20. The Bears are 1-1 and still sore from a 9-3 loss to the Vikings. That low-scoring defeat matters because it ended with an injury to the Bears' starter.
Caleb Williams' absence changes the plan
Quarterback Caleb Williams will miss his first NFL game. He hurt his hamstring midway through the fourth quarter against Minnesota. According to the Chicago Bears' game preview, either Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum will replace him. Both made their last NFL start in 2023. SportsLine's advance coverage expects Keenum, meaning the exact starter may not be confirmed until closer to game time.
That uncertainty alone reshapes the matchup. The Bears cannot simply run their usual offense. They must protect the football, and their defense has to keep the score low. The betting market seems to agree: the over/under sits at 41.5, one of the lowest totals of Week 3, according to SportsLine.
Ground game and trench battles
Chicago has a clear strength to lean on. The Bears led the NFL in rushing entering Week 3, averaging 212.5 yards per game. With a backup quarterback in the lineup, that ground game becomes the offense's foundation. That puts extra weight on the battle in the trenches.
The Bears' game preview highlights two individual fights.
The first is Bears right guard Jonah Jackson against Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Carter can wreck an offense from the inside. If Jackson controls him, Chicago's running backs get cleaner lanes and the backup quarterback gets more time. If Carter wins, the Bears' plan is in trouble.
The second is Bears defensive end Montez Sweat against Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson. Philadelphia's offensive line is one of the best in the league, and Johnson is the anchor on that side. Sweat is the Bears' most disruptive pass rusher. When he beats Johnson, Chicago can pressure the quarterback. When Johnson holds, Philadelphia can move the ball through the air.
What the result means
The Eagles are already in control of their division race. A third straight win would give them a clear start while they wait for the rest of the NFC East. They will have to do it without tight end Dallas Goedert, who is dealing with a knee injury.
A Bears win would mean more than just 2-1. It would show that Chicago's run-first approach and defensive identity can carry the team while Williams recovers. A loss, after scoring three points against Minnesota, would raise harder questions about the offense.
Monday night is not just a routine Week 3 game. It is a test of whether Philadelphia can stay undefeated without a key weapon, and whether Chicago can win with a backup quarterback and its strongest unit leading the way.