CHICAGO — September 29, 2026 — Halloween may be a month away, but the Philadelphia Eagles delivered a horror show for the ages on Monday Night Football. In a stunning 27-7 defeat at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears — led by 38-year-old backup quarterback Case Keenum — dismantled an Eagles team that many believed was the NFC's team to beat. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this wasn't just a loss; it was a systemic collapse that exposed deep flaws in Philadelphia's coaching, discipline, and execution.
Case Keenum: The Ghost of Eagles Past
Keenum, making his first start since December 24, 2023, carved up the Eagles' defense like a Thanksgiving turkey, completing 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He added a rushing score — his first since 2019 — and looked every bit like a Hall of Famer in the making, reminiscent of Joe Webb and Taylor Heinicke, who have haunted Philadelphia in years past. The Eagles' defense, supposedly a strength, made Keenum look like Joe Montana, John Elway, and Tom Brady rolled into one. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the middle of the field was wide open all night, with linebacker Zack Baun repeatedly a step late in coverage.
The Good: Jalen Hurts and a Few Bright Spots
Jalen Hurts did what he could, completing 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards and rushing for a touchdown. His first half was particularly impressive: 10 of 13 for 111 yards, hitting six different receivers and capping an 8-play, 67-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak on the final play of the half. Rookie Makai Lemon started the game with a 19-yard catch, and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had a strong outing with multiple pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Britain Covey added a 26-yard kickoff return, and Jalyx Hunt showed penetration on a goal-line stand. But these moments were fleeting.
The Bad: Missed Tackles, Penalties, and Coaching Blunders
The Eagles' discipline was abysmal, committing a season-high 10 penalties for 61 yards — more than their combined total from the first two games. Missed tackles plagued the defense, notably Cooper DeJean's whiff on Luther Burden and Marcus Epps's missed assignment on the first play. Hurts was flagged for intentional grounding on the opening drive, and right guard Tyler Steen's holding call wiped out a 19-yard Saquon Barkley run. Head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio were thoroughly outcoached by Bears' Ben Johnson, who kept his offense in rhythm with quick passes and smart situational play.
The Ugly: A Franchise in Freefall
The Eagles have now turned the ball over five times without forcing a single turnover through three games — a first in franchise history. Their third-quarter offense has been historically bad: of 11 drives, eight have been three-and-outs, and they've been outscored 17-6 in the period. The secondary, aside from Mitchell, was torched repeatedly. Riq Woolen had a horrendous game, flagged twice and lost in coverage on a 41-yard touchdown to Kalif Raymond. Andrew Mukuba's holding call gave the Bears an automatic first down, and Moro Ojomo's offside penalty on fourth-and-two sealed the game. Even Andy Dalton, who relieved an injured Hurts, threw a brutal interception in the end zone. As highlighted on Vulius, this team better self-evaluate before the season spirals out of control.
What's Next for the Eagles?
With the Rams, Jaguars, Panthers, and Cowboys looming, the Eagles' five-year playoff streak is in serious jeopardy. This game may be a portend of a 9-8 or 10-7 season — if they're lucky. The good news? LeBron James and the 76ers start soon. Many Eagles players might find themselves courtside this winter. For now, Philadelphia must fix its discipline, scheme, and execution — or risk wasting a talented roster.
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