Jalen Hurts ineffective, Case Keenum exceptional: Winners and losers from MNF

Bears Find Stability Behind Case Keenum in 27-7 Win Over Eagles

Cybersecarmor.com – Chicago’s 27-7 Monday night win over Philadelphia on Sept. 28 may not carry the historic drama of past Bears-Eagles postseason meetings at Soldier Field, but it could prove important for a team trying to keep pace in the NFC North.

Playing without injured quarterback Caleb Williams, who is rehabilitating a hamstring issue, the Bears leaned on experience, aggressive coaching and a disruptive defense. The result was a convincing victory that kept Chicago from losing ground to the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings, the current pace-setters in the division.

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, did not need to be rushed back into action. Instead, the Bears received a composed performance from veteran Case Keenum, their third-string quarterback, and produced 375 yards of offense against an Eagles team that entered the night unbeaten.

Case Keenum makes the most of his opportunity

Keenum, now in his 14th NFL season, started a regular-season game for the first time in more than 1,000 days. It was also his first appearance for the eighth franchise of his career, yet he showed little sign of rust or uncertainty.

The veteran completed his work with 247 passing yards and two touchdown throws. He also ran for a score, his first rushing touchdown since 2019. Just as significantly, Chicago avoided turnovers throughout the game, giving its defense and running game the support they needed.

For a club missing its franchise quarterback, Keenum offered exactly the sort of steady performance that can change the outlook of a short-term injury situation. His showing makes him a strong candidate to remain under center in Week 4, when Chicago faces the New York Jets.

Luther Burden III continues to emerge

Wide receiver Luther Burden III provided one of Chicago’s biggest offensive sparks. After missing much of training camp and sitting out the entire preseason because of a groin injury, Burden is beginning to look more comfortable in the offense.

He led the Bears with seven receptions for 61 yards and supplied the team’s first touchdown. The scoring play highlighted his individual effort: Burden powered through contact on an 8-yard run to the end zone.

Chicago has reason to be encouraged by his growing role. While it is too early to define the long-term pecking order at receiver, Burden’s production and physicality suggested he could become an increasingly central option in the passing attack.

Ben Johnson’s decisions set the tone

Head coach Ben Johnson did not coach as though the Bears were merely trying to survive with their third quarterback. He attacked early, converting a fourth-and-1 from Philadelphia’s 32-yard line during the opening drive. That possession ended with Burden’s touchdown.

Johnson’s confidence also brought some risk. Chicago failed on a fourth-down try near the end of its third possession, allowing Philadelphia to take over at its own 3-yard line. But the Bears continued to press their advantage rather than retreat into a conservative approach.

On Chicago’s next-to-last possession, Johnson again chose to go for it on fourth down during a 13-play fourth-quarter drive. Keenum helped extend that sequence by drawing defensive tackle Moro Ojomo offsides with a hard count. The possession eventually concluded with Keenum’s rushing touchdown.

The game plan gave Keenum manageable opportunities while keeping Philadelphia under pressure. Chicago’s offense did not need to be spectacular to control the evening, but it was effective, balanced and opportunistic.

Bears defense overwhelms Philadelphia

Chicago’s defense played a major role in turning the contest into a one-sided result. The Bears collected three takeaways and permitted Philadelphia to convert only two third downs. They also limited the Eagles’ time of possession to a little more than 23 minutes.

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles never found a consistent rhythm. Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards and threw an interception in the third quarter to former teammate T.J. Edwards. He did convert a 1-yard “Tush Push” touchdown as the first half expired, but Philadelphia’s aerial attack failed to create sustained pressure on Chicago.

Hurts also absorbed a late hit in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent at a key moment. His visible frustration reflected a difficult night for an offense still finding its identity under new coordinator Sean Mannion.

Philadelphia began 2-0 with wins over Washington and Tennessee, but those results did not fully answer questions about how the new offense would function against a stronger defensive effort. The loss in Chicago will revive scrutiny of Hurts’ effectiveness as a passer, particularly within an attack that asks for motion, pre-snap adjustments and throws between the numbers.

Philadelphia faces a tighter division race

The defeat leaves the Eagles tied with the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East. Dallas and Washington sit only one game behind, maintaining the narrow margins that often define the division.

Philadelphia now has little time to reset. The Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, creating a short preparation window after a frustrating prime-time defeat.

There was one positive reunion for Philadelphia: veteran tight end Zach Ertz, brought back after Dallas Goedert’s knee injury, caught his first pass in an Eagles uniform since his midseason 2021 trade to Arizona. Still, the larger story belonged to Chicago. With Keenum at quarterback, Burden making plays and the defense controlling the game, the Bears found a valuable win at precisely the moment they needed one.