The Chicago Bears are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for second place in the NFC through Week 12, which renders the matchup between the two teams on November 28 pivotal in the conference playoff race.
Despite an 8-3 record, the Bears face serious doubt among NFL analysts as to the legitimacy of their success this season. Chicago has played among the weakest schedules in the league through Week 11. The eight teams the Bears have defeated own a combined record of 27-58-1, and six of those wins have come by one score.
As a result, Chicago will head to Philly on Friday as seven-point underdogs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. However, a couple of injuries to important members of the Eagles offense could impact the betting line and ultimately the outcome of the game.
“#Eagles injuries to watch: WR DeVonta Smith did not participate because of shoulder and chest injuries,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported regarding Philadelphia’s practice Tuesday. “RB Saquon Barkley was limited today because of a groin injury.”
Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith Are Eagles’ Top Rushing and Receiving Producers This Season
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley has had a down year after an all-time season in 2024 that ended with AP Offensive Player of the Year honors, a first-team All-Pro selection and a Super Bowl ring. Despite the regression, Barkley still leads the team in rushing with 684 yards and four TDs. He has also caught 35 passes for 259 yards and two scores.
Meanwhile, Smith is the Eagles’ leading wide receiver with 55 catches for 754 yards. He has also scored three touchdowns.
The Eagles are coming off a crushing loss to the Dallas Cowboys on the road in Week 12 after blowing a 21-point lead, which they held until late in the first half. The quick turnaround between games of just five days rest is a disadvantage to the Philadelphia offense, as Smith and Barkley have 48 fewer hours to recover before the team hosts Chicago the day after Thanksgiving.
QB Caleb Williams, Bears Offense Face Tough Matchup Against Eagles Defense
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears’ weakness is its defense, which is giving up 362.8 yards per game to opposing offenses. That ranks 27th in the league.
Injuries to either Barkley or Smith, which keep one, or both, of them out or hamper them in any meaningful way, should help Chicago’s defense hang in despite its deficiencies, which a litany of injuries starting at the beginning of the campaign have exacerbated.
But ascending second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears’ sixth-ranked offense will also face serious obstacles Friday in the form of Philadelphia’s stout, and continuously improving, defense.
“The upcoming game against the Eagles’ defense might be ugly — they’re not a great matchup for the Bears — but Williams is good and becoming great,” Ben Solak of ESPN wrote Tuesday.
Chicago will undoubtedly continue to lean on it run game, currently ranked second in the league. The Bears have shown a propensity for coming through in clutch situations, so if they can stay in the game until the fourth quarter, Chicago should have at least a puncher’s chance to knock off the reigning champs.
And those odds will only improve if Barkley and/or Smith misses the game or plays shy of 100 percent.
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