That was more like it. After signs of optimism and glimpses of the unstoppable team the Eagles expected to be, the team put it all together for a thorough four-quarter performance against the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night in a 34-7 romp over their rivals. Running back LeSean McCoy continued his season-long announcement as one of the best running backs in the league with 30 carries for 185 yards, both of which were career highs. The offense in general was unstoppable, as it's been all season when not turning the ball over, as Michael Vick threw for 279 yards, two touchdowns and a 129.9 quarterback rating. And just like it was drawn up, the defensive was able to take advantage of a Cowboys offense made one-dimensional because of the Eagles' continued point scoring, sacking Tony Romo four times. Next on the docket for the 3-4 Eagles is another primetime game against a team with a good defense and a quarterback known to be forced into the occasional mistake – the Chicago Bears.
Like the Cowboys, the Bears also boast one of the best pass rushers in the league, with Julius Peppers playing the role of DeMarcus Ware, who had 4.0 sacks against the Eagles. Peppers will line up opposite Jason Peters in a test of two of the league's best, though the Eagles offense was able to function very well even with Ware's big game. Similarities aside, the biggest difference between the Cowboys and Bears may be the presence of Matt Forte, one of the best running backs in the league. Forte has already surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage on the season and is the focal point of the Bears offense. Halting Forte's production will be priority No. 1 for the Eagles. The Eagles' streak of must-win games continues against the Bears as the two teams meet for the fifth consecutive season, this time under the Lincoln Financial Field lights on Monday Night Football.
Key Matchups
Bears RDE Julius Peppers vs. Eagles LT Jason Peters
Peppers arguably got the better of this All-Pro matchup last season when he sacked Michael Vick once, forced a fumble and added another tackle for loss. That should serve as motivation for Peters, who, despite missing two games, is putting together one of the more impressive seasons of his decorated career. Peters has been a monster in the run game, ranking as the second-best run blocker in the league at his position according to ProFootballFocus.com. The Eagles' trust in Peters in the run game is also apparent when you consider that they have run to the left end 59 times this season, the most in the league.
Bears RS Devin Hester vs. Special Teams Coordinator Bobby April
Simply stated, Devin Hester is the greatest returner of all time –apologies to former Eagle Brian Mitchell. Hester has 16 career touchdowns on kickoff or punt returns, the most in league history. And though DeSean Jackson would have something to say about the best punt returner in the game today, Hester remains incredibly dangerous and a constant headache to opposing special teams units. Hester already has two return touchdowns this season and the Bears rank fifth in punt return average and 11th in kickoff return average. April and the Eagles did a good job on Hester last season in Chicago, when Hester returned only one of three punts for a measly nine yards. He also returned three kickoffs, with a long return of 46 yards. But the Eagles have two rookie specialists now, so their ability to pin dangerous returners back will be tested. Punter Chas Henry will be especially under the spotlight, though the best way to stop Hester remains not having to punt the ball at all. After all, Henry only had to punt twice last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
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