Case Keenum might be the first quarterback to serve as a team’s emergency third-string, second-string and starting quarterback within the first three weeks of a season.
Good luck figuring that stat out.
Let’s dive into Week 3 for the Bears.
WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS
Adam Hoge (1-1) — Bears 20, Eagles 17
The Eagles might be 2-0 but their two wins weren’t exactly impressive. If Caleb Williams were healthy, the Bears would rightly be favored. Case Keenum isn’t Caleb, but he does know how to run an efficient offense and Ben Johnson is still running the show. The bigger question mark for me is the defense, but at home on Monday night, my gut says the Bears will find a way to win.
Adam Jahns (1-1) — Bears 26, Eagles 23
The Eagles aren’t what you think they are. The best example is how much their offensive line seems to be struggling, at least by their own high standards. One-score wins against the Commanders and Titans don’t say too much, either. The Bears are a good team and good teams find ways to win with backup QBs. I’m not saying that would happen a lot over the course of a full season. But Case Keenum should have one more good game left in his 38-year-old arm.
Mark Carman (0-2) — Eagles 22, Bears 20
No Caleb. No Tyson. Monangai dealing with a knee injury. But we’ve got Ben and an Eagles team that is out of sorts. Plus, Case Keenum with absolutely nothing to lose. And… Ben Johnson. But the Eagles are getting healthier as the week goes on. I got Philly in a tight one.
Patrick Norton (1-1) — Eagles 27, Bears 13
Is it possible the Bears are better off surviving a one-off Caleb Williams absence with a game manager like Case Keenum rather than Tyson Bagent? Maybe. Unlikely. The 38-year-old was plucked out of retirement by Ben Johnson two years ago and has served his role as a pseudo QBs coach well. As starting quarterback? That might be a different story.
Greg Braggs Jr. (1-1) — Bears 35, Eagles 20
In 10 years, you will be calling this “The Case Keenum Game.”
Stephen Nicholas (1-1) — Eagles 27, Bears 10
What do you get when you mix a 3rd-string QB, a team that allowed the fewest pass TDs last season and a vengeful defense that got run over by the Bears’ rush attack in their previous meeting? Unfortunately, you get a 1-2 start to the season. The Bears racked up 281 yards on the ground in last season’s matchup, and I just can’t see Vic Fangio letting that happen twice. Get Tyson ready for Week 4 against the Jets, and pray Caleb is ready for Week 5 vs. the Packers (and come on our CHGO road trip to Green Bay while you’re at it).
Joey Christopoulos (1-1) — Bears 24, Eagles 21
DISCLAIMER: The following statements are made under the guise that Case Keenum is the starting QB … It’s a call to the bullpen! It’s a little early for “moving week” in the CHGO Bears predictions standings, but here we are, and I’m the new guy so I‘ve gotta get this right.
Both teams have significant names on their injury list (as of this submission). Bears O-Line > Eagles O-Line. Give me a bunch of field goals, two touchdown drives, one big play from the defense and the Bears to hang on 24-21 Monday night.
If Caleb plays and shreds the Eagles’ secondary, I will buy Greg Braggs Jr. $40 worth of Taco Bell.
Corey Wootton (1-1) — Bears 21, Eagles 20
Bears sneak one out. Rely on the run game and stick with it with Williams out.
