The Philadelphia Eagles were met with a chorus of boos from their home fans as they faced a disappointing 24-15 defeat against the Chicago Bears during the NFL’s Black Friday matchup held at Lincoln Financial Field. The harsh reactions from the Eagles’ supporters became evident when many began to exit the stadium with six minutes left in the game. This occurred after Caleb Williams connected with Cole Kmet for a 28-yard touchdown, extending Chicago’s lead to 24-9 and crushing hopes for a late comeback.
As the game progressed, the Eagles’ offensive struggles were heavily scrutinized, particularly targeting offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. The Eagles were unable to capitalize on a critical opportunity to punish a turnover created by a Williams interception, instead fumbling the ball during a “tush-push” attempt in a pivotal moment of the game.
Statistics from the matchup showcased a lopsided performance, with the Bears outpacing the Eagles significantly—425 total yards to Philadelphia’s 317. Chicago’s offense operated at a frenetic pace, running 85 plays compared to the Eagles’ mere 51. The domination extended to first downs, where the Bears recorded 28, while the Eagles only managed to secure 14. The running game was particularly potent for Chicago, amassing 281 rushing yards against Philadelphia’s 87, and holding a staggering time of possession advantage of 39:18 to 20:42 minutes.
Head coach Ben Johnson strategically exploited this ground game, primarily relying on standout performances from Kyle Monongai and D’Andre Swift. Monongai carried the ball 22 times for an impressive 130 yards and a touchdown, while Swift contributed an additional 125 yards on 18 carries, including a scoring strike in the first quarter.
The loss marked the Eagles’ second consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 8-4, and culminating in an equally frustrating outing after squandering a 21-point lead the previous week against the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Bears, now boasting a 9-3 record, solidified their commanding position atop the NFC North, continuing their impressive performance with nine wins in their last ten games.
Throughout the first half, the disgruntled Eagles crowd made their displeasure known, with audible boos cascading down as Philadelphia’s offense sputtered. At halftime, the Bears had amassed a staggering 222 yards compared to the Eagles’ paltry 83, converting 16 first downs to only two for Philadelphia. The Bears dominated the rushing attack, posting 142 ground yards versus the Eagles’ 26, and holding a majority of possession with 21 minutes compared to the Eagles’ nine.
The Eagles’ offensive deficiencies continued after halftime, highlighted by an interception thrown by Jalen Hurts, who was picked off by a leaping Kevin Byard on a well-timed play. Consequently, the Bears’ staunch defense maintained their grip, leaving the Eagles unable to capitalize on what could have been a critical turning point in the game.
A flicker of hope emerged when Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a 33-yard touchdown reception that briefly hinted at a potential comeback, especially after a 23-yard scramble by Hurts. However, the excitement was dampened when Jake Elliott missed the ensuing extra point attempt, leaving the Eagles trailing 10-9.
The game took a turn for the worse when chaos once again ensued on an Eagles “tush-push” play leading to a critical turnover. Nahshon Wright, who had been a defensive stalwart, stripped the ball from Hurts and recovered it himself, further highlighting the offensive woes for Philadelphia. Johnson promptly capitalized on this shift in momentum, directing the Bears back to their ground game strength, culminating in a 12-play, 87-yard drive that concluded with a smooth four-yard touchdown run by Monongai.
As the clock ticked down and Chicago’s Williams found Kmet for that pivotal touchdown, the exodus of disheartened Eagles fans intensified, marking an unfortunate low point for the Super Bowl champions.
In a fleeting moment of hope, Eagles fans who remained might have dared to believe they would witness a last-minute miracle when Brown secured a four-yard touchdown from Hurts. Unfortunately, the Eagles failed to convert a two-point attempt, cementing their fate as they found themselves in a two-score deficit.
While Swift opened the scoring for the Bears with a decisive rushing touchdown, the Eagles struggled to find their rhythm. Elliott chipped away at the Bears’ lead with a 44-yard field goal, but it was not enough to overshadow the glaring issues present within the Eagles’ offensive setup.
Fans made their collective voice clear throughout the night, expressing their frustration aimed at offensive coordinator Patullo. Nevertheless, head coach Nick Sirianni publicly backed his staff, asserting that they would not make changes to the play-caller. “It’s never about just one person,” he stated, emphasizing that confidence remains in the entire team, regardless of the discontent expressed from the stands.
With their sights set on the upcoming match against the Chargers in Week 14, the Eagles aim to bounce back and rectify their recent misfortunes, while the Bears prepare to meet the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, hoping to continue their winning momentum.
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