The Eagles offense has their work cut out for them on Sunday. After facing the top-ranked Giants defense (in total yards) last Sunday night, the Eagles now travel to Chicago to take on a Bears defense that is tied for first in fewest points allowed. The old cliché says that no game in the NFL is easy. But it's the truth these days for an Eagles offense that seems to draw tougher defensive matchups with each passing week.

"It's a challenge, but every week will be a challenge in this league," Vick said Friday. "And you don't want it any other way. As you recap over the season and think about the things that you did, your accomplishments, you want to say that you went up against the best and hopefully you did well.

"You always want to play against the best. I think it only makes you better as a team."

The Eagles have had no fear matching up against the best teams in the NFL. Out of the last nine games, five have come against teams with winning records. The Eagles are 4-1 in those games, and will face another above.500 team Sunday in the 7-3 Bears. The Eagles quarterback knows that the experience playing against quality opponents will help this team down the road.

"It says a lot about this team, but at the end of the day you have to go out there and put it all together," Vick said. "Nothing's going to be given to you. You have to work for everything you're going to get. You have to earn it. I think we did a good job this week in our preparation and let's get ready to go play some football."

It's going to be a tough week ahead for the Eagles. As head coach Andy Reid acknowledged Friday, playing in Soldier Field is never an easy task. Perhaps in no other NFL stadium do the elements play such a factor as in Chicago, where the cold and windy conditions often affect the outcome of the game.

But once the game ends Sunday night, the Eagles are right back at it Monday as they prepare to play the Houston Texans on Thursday night in Philadelphia. Preparing for an unfamiliar foe is no easy task, especially on a short week.

Expect the next seven days to be a litmus test for a young Eagles squad looking to put their stamp on the NFC.

-- Posted by Josh Goldman, 3:15 p.m., November 26