NFL Black Friday Showdown: Eagles vs. Bears Highlights
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The Black Friday NFL game featured a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears, both entering the game with impressive 8-3 records. Kickoff took place at 3 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with the Eagles favored by 7 points and an over/under set at 43.5 points, according to CBS Sports.
This game marked the third Black Friday NFL game in history and was notable for being the first non-divisional matchup. The Eagles were coming off a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where they squandered a three-touchdown lead, while the Bears were on a significant winning streak, having won four consecutive games and eight of their last nine, including a recent victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As reported by Pro Football Talk, the Bears led the game at halftime 10-3, dominating possession with 21 minutes on the clock and running 47 offensive plays compared to just 17 for the Eagles. D'Andre Swift scored the first half's only touchdown, showcasing his skills with 10 carries for 88 yards.
The Eagles' defense struggled to contain the Bears' rushing attack, with rookie Kyle Monangai contributing 41 yards on eight carries. Notably, the Eagles offense had not scored a touchdown for over 71 minutes of game time at that point, having been booed by the home crowd due to their lackluster performance.
The shift to a run-heavy offense by the Bears has been highlighted, as they rank second in the NFL in both rushing attempts and yards, according to CBS Sports. As the game progressed, experts like Adam Silverstein from CBS Sports provided insights into betting picks and predictions.
He noted that the Eagles had allowed just 13.3 points in their last three games, thanks in part to the acquisition of pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, though their offense has been stagnant, averaging only 15.7 points in that same span.
Silverstein's analysis suggested that both teams faced challenges scoring against strong defenses, implying that the game could see limited offensive output. The game was streamed live on Amazon Prime, further embedding the NFL's attempt to create a new tradition around Black Friday football, a move that has garnered mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike, according to commentary from Battle Red Blog.
As the game unfolded, the Eagles needed to make adjustments to turn around their fortunes against a Bears team that was clearly finding its rhythm on both sides of the ball.