Bears-Eagles Preview

 

SCOUTING REPORT

Westbrook could have re-Peterson performanceThis is a critical matchup between two teams that were supposed to be two of the better teams in the NFC, but haven't lived up to the hype. Both teams need to win in order to keep pace within their divisions. Bears QB Brian Griese will be spending a lot of time in the film room this week preparing for the Eagles' pressure schemes because Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson places a lot of emphasis on attacking the QB and forcing turnovers. However, the Bears must find a way to get RB Cedric Benson going this week against an Eagles run defense that is allowing 91.2 yards a game to take pressure off Griese. It will also be interesting to see if the Bears continue to get Devin Hester more involved in the offense because of his explosive playmaking skills. Philadelphia will counter the Bears' running game with RB Brian Westbrook, who is an explosive player in his own right. Plus, with his skill set, Westbrook has the potential to have an 'Adrian Peterson' performance similar to the one the Bears defense allowed last week.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
CHI	7-9	334	348	4-4	3-5	2-4	4-8
PHI	8-8	336	300	3-5	5-3	2-4	5-7
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Chicago Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cutler 60.5 3666 27 26 Hanie 42.9 11 0 1

Philadelphia Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT McNabb 60.3 3553 22 10 Kolb 64.6 741 4 3

Chicago Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Forte 258 929 3.6 4 Bell 40 220 5.5 0

Philadelphia Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McCoy 155 637 4.1 4 Weaver 70 323 4.6 2

Chicago Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Hester 57 757 13.3 3 Bennet... 54 717 13.3 2

Philadelphia Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 63 1167 18.5 9 Celek 76 971 12.8 8

Full Player Stats: Chicago | Philadelphia

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	CHI	293.0
	PHI	358.0
Yards Passing	CHI	210.1
	PHI	234.7
Yards Rushing	CHI	83.1
	PHI	123.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	CHI	354.7
	PHI	311.4
Pass Yds Allowed	CHI	231.8
	PHI	215.6
Rush Yds Allowed	CHI	122.9
	PHI	95.8

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Philadelphia leads 3-1
Oct 3, 2004	CHI 9, @PHI 19
Nov 3, 2002	CHI 13, @PHI 19
Jan 19, 2002	CHI 19, @PHI 33

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Eagles safety Brian Dawkins and Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher each sat out for the fourth consecutive game with injuries in Sunday's game between Philadelphia and Chicago.

Dawkins has not played since sustaining a stinger while making a tackle against the Redskins in Week 2. Vasher has sat out the last four games with a groin injury.

Former Eagles defensive tackle Darwin Walker sat out his second straight game for Chicago with a knee injury and Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith was out after missing practice all week with a groin injury. Smith had offseason surgery for a sports hernia and had a second surgery on the area earlier this season. He played last week against the New York Jets, catching one pass for 8 yards.

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Finfer: Streaking/Slumping with Tyrus and more

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Dungy: Vick spoke of redemption during visits

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Former coach sings praises of new Bears LB

Former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator and Northwestern head coach Rick Venturi never questioned Pisa Tinoisamoa's toughness, but Venturi may have doubted the linebacker's sanity at one point.

Bear facts

LAKE FOREST, Ill. Bears coach Lovie Smith answers email questions from fans: I was so happy to see you thinking out of the box and taking over play-calling duties on defense.

Tinoisamoa signs deal; Bears look at punters

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Call it signings of the times

In a frenetic day of wheeling and dealing at Halas Hall, the Bears signed a likely starter for their defense, locked up a versatile lineman for two seasons and secured almost all of their draft picks.

Bears hoping Cutler can help get running game in gear

Fact or fiction? Jay Cutler had no running game last season in Denver. Reading through comments left here over the last few days, it looks like the widely held opinion is that the Broncos were running in the slow lane in 2008, you know, when Cutler wasn't chucking it.

Eagles' Sheldon Brown Skips Workout

Cornerback Sheldon Brown was a no-show and running back Brian Westbrook was a non-participant because of injury today when the Philadelphia Eagles began eight days of workouts that, while voluntary, are generally regarded as "full-roster" in nature.

Jon Runyan contemplates future

Life is different for Jon Runyan these days, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he spent yesterday afternoon on a two-hour road trip to pick up his pet pig.

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

In a lighter moment at camp, the Birds' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb united in laughter yesterday during the almost-full-squad workout at the team's NovaCare Complex.

Jim Johnson situation a new one for Eagles

Sheldon Brown wasn't there, which is just kind of pointless. Brian Westbrook wasn't there, which is just kind of troubling.

Birds' Eye View: Donovan speaks -- sort of

With the Eagles set to open a full-squad passing camp tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, Donovan McNabb's team of publicists sent out a release today pitching the 10-year anniversary of the quarterback's charitable foundation.