By Salem Chicago News Staff
CHICAGO — Third-string quarterback Case Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chicago defense generated three takeaways in a dominant 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night at Soldier Field.
Keenum, starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, posted a 110.8 passer rating and added a 1-yard rushing touchdown in his first regular-season action since December 2023, when he was with the Houston Texans.
Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring injury. Backup Tyson Bagent was not cleared from concussion protocol until Sunday, leaving the 14-year veteran Keenum to start.
“To get a shot again like this? Yeah, you dream of it,” Keenum said. “That’s why I’m still here doing this when I get knocked down. I got knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, coming to work, just keep bouncing back.”
The Bears (2-1) opened the game with an 11-play, 66-yard scoring drive capped by Keenum’s 8-yard shovel pass to Luther Burden III. Burden broke a tackle, kept his legs churning and powered into the end zone with a push from left tackle Braxton Jones.
The defense set the tone early. On Philadelphia’s second possession, Austin Booker’s punch after a short reception forced a fumble recovered by safety Xavier Woods at the Eagles’ 15. Chicago later extended its lead to 10-0 on Cairo Santos’ 29-yard field goal after rookie Dillon Thieneman intercepted backup Andy Dalton in the back of the end zone.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scored on a quarterback sneak as the first half expired, cutting the deficit to 10-7. But Chicago controlled the final two periods.
The Bears defense forced back-to-back three-and-outs to open the second half. Santos connected on a 48-yard field goal, and Keenum found a wide-open Kalif Raymond for a 41-yard touchdown pass, stretching the lead to 20-7.
Raymond finished with six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
T.J. Edwards intercepted Hurts on fourth-and-5 from the Bears’ 46 late in the third quarter, and Keenum capped a 13-play drive with his 1-yard rushing score to make it 27-7 with 7:19 remaining.
“He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognize coverage,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “That’s what you get when you’re 15-plus years playing that position in this league.”
Hurts finished 16 for 25 for 153 yards. Saquon Barkley rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries. Philadelphia turned the ball over three times and failed to record a takeaway for the third consecutive game.
“I think we all have to own that loss right there,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I don’t think anybody coached well. I don’t think anyone played well. It was a true team loss.”
The Bears host the New York Jets next Sunday at Soldier Field.
Source: Chicago Bears News
