Live analysis like Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields match
CHICAGO — Jalen Hurts easily had his worst first half of the season, and the Eagles struggled offensively.
However, they took a 10-6 halftime lead after Hurts threw two interceptions, the most he has thrown in any game this season, and one less than his total over the first 13 games.
But Hurts’ 22-yard run with 43 seconds left in the first half, when he ran untouched in a QB tie, put the Eagles ahead.
However, he was only 8-for-16 for 139 yards and 2 INTs in the first half. Three of those completions, for 104 yards, went to DeVonta Smith, including a 38-yard pass on that scoring drive.
Maybe the cold weather had something to do with it. The game was 18 degrees with winds of 16 mph, making it feel like 4 degrees.
The Eagles had a chance to take the lead primarily due to strong defensive play by Hasson Reddick and Josh Sweet, who each had 2 of the Eagles’ 5 sacks. But Riddick missed two more.
One of those one-misses came after he sacked quarterback Justin Fields, forcing a recovery for the Bears. On the next play, Reddick nearly caught Fields, but Fields ran away, broke up some tackles and won 39 yards to the Eagles’ 9.
David Montgomery ran the ball on the next play, but the extra point was missed.
Reddick has 11 sacks on the season, Sweat has 9.5, marking a career high, and Javon Hargrave also had a sack. Still, Fields had 81 yards throwing and 81 yards rushing in the first half. That brought Fields to just 14 rushing yards of the 1,000 yards for the season.
Meanwhile, Hurts struggled, other than throws to Smith. It was intercepted by Kyle Gordon at the Bears 17 on the Eagles’ first drive. Another international attempt to hit Quisse Watkins was thrown over the middle near midfield by DeAndre Houston Carson, who returned the ball to the Eagles’ 25.
But Riddick’s sack on third and the Eagles’ 16th off the 20 forced the Bears to punt. That set up the Eagles’ final drive of the first half. This time, Hurts took advantage.
Where is Miles Sanders?
Miles Sanders came to the NFL’s fifth game with 1,068 passing yards. However, he did not touch the ball in the first half until there were 6 minutes left.
Sanders had 3 carries for 12 yards in the first half. Hurts led the Eagles with 7 carries for 40 yards.
Why the Eagles keep Goedert on IR
Two weeks ago, Dallas Godert said he fully expects to be activated off injured reserve on Sunday, the first game in which he is entitled to play.
However, the Eagles let Saturday’s deadline pass without activating Goedert for their game against the Chicago Bears, despite Goedert returning to practice last week. Quite possibly, the Eagles have given Goedert an extra week to rebuild strength in his shoulder so he’ll be ready for next Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurt VS. fields:These Eagles watched Justin Fields play for the ages in college. Will he beat Jalen Hurts?
There will be a lot more at stake next week anyway. The Eagles already clinched a playoff berth. But if the Eagles beat the Bears on Sunday, or if the Cowboys lose to Jacksonville, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East and the top seed in the NFC playoffs with a win next Saturday against the Cowboys.
Goedert did not necessarily believe in this strategy.
“Even though the Bears have only had 3 wins, they’ve lost a lot of close games,” he said. “They’re not a bad team, that’s for sure… I definitely want to play in Dallas.”
The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX with Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver covering.
Bad start for the Eagles, Hurts
The Eagles played one of the ugliest first quarters of the season on Sunday, but at least they didn’t lose because the defense did a good job containing Justin Fields.
The Eagles had the ball for just two minutes and 10 seconds in the quarter. Jalen Hurts went 1-for-5 passing for 21 yards with an interception. The finish was a beautiful pass as Hurts rolled to his left and threw him to the sideline where Smith caught and caught him while keeping his feet on the inside.
But on the next play, Hurts rolled to his right and was intercepted at Bears’ 17.
The Eagles sacked Fields twice in the first quarter. The first, by Josh Sweet, gave him an 8.5 for the season, a career high. In all, the Eagles have 51 sacks on the season, the most in the NFL.
Eagles idle, Bears miss 3 best WRs
The Eagles did not have safety Reed Blankenship, who had started the previous two games in place of Chauncey Gardner Johnson, who was on injured reserve. Blankenship suffered a knee injury last week against the Giants.
But the Eagles did not replace Blankenship on the roster as Anthony Harris, who was signed Thursday to the practice squad, did not get a promotion to the squad. K’Von Wallace started in place of Blankenship, but Avonte Maddox played some safety as well.
Other inactive Eagles linebackers include QB Ian Book, RB Trey Sermon, De Janarius Robinson, J Josh Sales and J Sawa Obita.
Meanwhile, the Bears will not have two wide receivers in Chase Claypool and N’Keal Harry. The Bears were traded to Claypool before the October deadline. He has 12 receptions in 5 games. Harry has 5 catches this season.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow us on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
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