Last week the San Diego Chargers secondary played deep, let the Eagles complete passes underneath and limited the times the Birds were able to get into the end zone.
The Eagles will face the same type of defense this week.
The Bears will play deep and try to prevent the deep pass. They will depend on their defensive line to get to Donovan McNabb before he can deliver the football.
The Eagles should be able to move the ball, but the key will be finding ways to get the ball into the endzone. They’ve got to get the job done in the red zone.
Lovie Smith’s Bears defense has sat in the cover two defense for years, but the injury to middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has forced them to change.
Chicago’s cover two which puts two safeties deep and asks the middle linebacker to run with all the inside receivers deep down the middle is vulnerable to slot receivers and tight ends.
The Bears will play it, so the Eagles will need to attack its vulnerable spots.
Just like a week ago, slot receiver Jason Avant and talented tight end Brent Celek will be in position to attack the middle of the field and should be able to get their hands on the football quite a few times.
With Urlacher out of there the Bears have continued to use the cover two but not nearly as much. They don’t have any other linebackers who are able to run with the receivers like Urlacher.
The Eagles offensive line will again be the key to their success. If they can give Donovan McNabb time in the pocket and open some holes for LeSean McCoy, they’ll have success.
