The Bears vs. The Eagles (and an Upright)

If you just look at the statistics and not the score, you would think the Bears won. The Bears had more yards receiving and rushing. Chicago beat Philadelphia on offense but not on the scoreboard. Other than the score the one number that matters is 75%.  Cody Parkey‘s field goal accuracy was seventy-five percent.  He made three out of four.  In most cases, that is a decent average.  It was not for this game.  The kick that hit the upright cut short the Bear’s first trip to the playoffs in eight years.  The game was close and intense, a nail-biter until the last minute.

The First Half

Nick Foles moved the Eagles offense  down the field with several no huddle plays.  After a sack on Foles for a -loss of eight yards, Jake Elliott made a forty-three yard field goal.  The next three sets of downs proved to be unsuccessful for either team.  Late in the first quarter Philadelphia began moving the ball again.  A long pass from Foles to Alshon Jeffery had the Eagles headed to the red zone.  In the next play Roquan Smith intercepted Foles to end the Eagles’ drive and the quarter.  Less than five minutes into the second quarter Cody Parkey got the Bears on the scoreboard. A thirty-two yard field goal put the Bears into the game.  Another Parkay field goal ended the quarter.  The teams went into the locker rooms with the Eagles down by a field goal.  The future looked good for the hometown heroes.

The Second Half

The Eagles wasted no time scoring.  A short pass from Foles to Dallas Goedert  and Philadelphia was ahead. The Eagles finished the quarter with a field goal by Parkey.  It was a one point game.  Parkey was accurate and the reliable.  Then  came the fourth quarter.  After a three and out by the Eagles, Mitch Trubisky took the Bears down field.  With a touchdown pass to Allen Robinson, the Bears were up 15 to 10.  A failed two-point conversion left the Bears with a precarious hold on their lead.  After two sets of downs the Eagles struck back.  A touch down pass from Foles to Golden Tate put the Eagles back on top by one point.  The  Bears got the ball back with little time on the clock.  In less than a minute they had the ball in range.  The Bears had the ball on the Eagles twenty-five yard line.  It was fourth and two.  Coach Matt Nagy  had to decide, go for it with seconds left or rely on Parkey.  Cody Parkey was reliable and accurate all day.  The decision was made.  Go for the easy three points.

The Kick

Words are not sufficient just watch.

Final Thoughts

This Eagles team was different than the Eagles of last season.  Last year they  were over-hyped and always excited.  This team is without a doubt energetic but they are focused and intense.  They have a job to do and are getting it done. This is a team that intends to show the NFL and the world that last year was no fluke.   These Eagles are going to fly.