Chicago Bears’ Defense To End Eagles Season

The Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles play out the final game of the NFC Wildcard Round at Soldier Field. The Eagles were the last time into the NFC playoff picture, defeating the Washington Redskins in the final week of the campaign.

Chicago’s win over the Minnesota Vikings allowed the Eagles into the post-season, capitalising on the NFC North slide’s slip-up. Doug Pederson’s men are still alive in their bid to become the first team to win the Super Bowl twice in a row since the 2004 New England Patriots.

The Eagles have hit their stride late in the season due to the re-emergence of Nick Foles. Foles was outstanding leading the club to the Super Bowl last term, but fell back into the ranks due to Carson Wentz’s return. Another Wentz injury thrust the quarterback back into the line-up and he has not disappointed, winning all three of his starts to end the campaign.

Matt Nagy’s first season in Chicago could not have been better. The first-year head coach has reversed the fortunes of the club, ending their seven-term playoff drought. He has brought the best out of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, while the Bears possess the best defense in the NFL. General manager Ryan Pace deserves huge credit for hiring Nagy and using draft capital to acquire Khalil Mack, who has taken the defense to the next level. They will be a tough outfit to stop in January.

Chicago Bears

The Bears have returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 campaign. Chicago underachieved under the tenures of Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman and John Fox, but Nagy has enjoyed immediate success. The club have won the NFC North for the first time since 2010, capitalising on the woes of the Green Bay Packers and the Vikings. Trubisky has taken the next stage in his development, enjoying a solid campaign, throwing 24 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

The 24-year-old has also offered a threat with his legs, rushing for 421 yards and three touchdowns. Nagy’s coaching has mirrored the effect of Sean McVay at the Los Angeles Rams, although not quite to the high standard of the NFC West champions. However, the Bears’ offense has been more than effective and combined with their elite defense it has produced a 12-win season.

Chicago’s defense has been the best in the NFL over the course of the campaign. The addition of Mack took an already stout unit to the next level. Mack has been outstanding, notching 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. Roquan Smith, Akiem Hicks, Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson and Eddie Goldman are all excellent players and will be the driving force behind a deep run in the post-season. However, they will have to be at the peak of their powers to stop Foles and company.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have found their form in the second half of the campaign, winning five out of their last six matches. They were really able to hit their stride in the final three weeks of the term with Foles as quarterback. Philadelphia pulled off impressive wins over the Rams and the Houston Texans as the 28-year-old rose to the occasion as he did in the last campaign in the run to the Super Bowl.

Foles has had issues with consistency, but he has proven when he is on form there are few quarterbacks that can match his level of production on the big stage. With an ailing Wentz, the Eagles looked dead and buried in their hopes of defending their Super Bowl crown. However, they do have the experience and the quality to make a run and will not fear any team in the NFC Conference.

Philadelphia’s secondary has had issues with their health, but the unit has been stabilised in recent weeks. The pass-rush has improved as Fletcher Cox, Michael Bennett and Chris Long are beginning to find their best. Pederson’s men need to continue to operate at their best, although the mobility of their defense could be an issue against the Bears. The pressure will be on Foles and company to outscore their rivals.

Head to Head

Games Played: 45 Chicago Bears: 30 Philadelphia Eagles: 14 Tied: 1

The Bears have dominated the contests between the two sides over the course of history, although the Eagles have won the last three meetings. Philadelphia crushed the Bears last season, producing a 31-3 hammering at Lincoln Financial Field as Wentz enjoyed a strong outing. The Eagles defeated Chicago in their last post-season game in the 2002 campaign at Soldier Field as a fine effort in the fourth quarter sent the NFC East outfit into the NFC Championship Game.

Match Betting Options

The Bears’ defense has been solid throughout the campaign, limiting their opponents, especially on home soil. Although Philadelphia have improved with Foles in the starting position, he has taken a couple of hits that have left injury marks on his ribs. Chicago will be keen to get after the quarterback and put him under pressure. On the other sideline, Trubisky is not good enough to pass his way through the Eagles’ defense.

However, they may only have to put 20 points or so on the board to advance. Back the Bears for the win at odds of 1.39Bet €100 to win €13939/100Bet £100 to win £139-256Bet $100 to win $1390.39Bet HK$100 to win HK$139-2.56Bet Rp100 to win Rp1390.3900Bet RM100 to win RM139  with BetOnline. Take the Eagles on a +3.5 spread at odds of 2.35Bet €100 to win €23527/20Bet £100 to win £235+135Bet $100 to win $2351.35Bet HK$100 to win HK$2351.35Bet Rp100 to win Rp235-0.7407Bet RM100 to win RM235 with 888Sport as it should be a relatively close contest. The under will come into the equation for total points, with the line set at 41 by Bovada – back it at 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191 . Also take the option for a defensive or special teams score at odds of 2.80Bet €100 to win €2809/5Bet £100 to win £280+180Bet $100 to win $2801.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$2801.80Bet Rp100 to win Rp280-0.5556Bet RM100 to win RM280  due to the quality of the Bears’ unit with TopBet.

Player Betting Options

Tarik Cohen scored eight touchdowns over the course of the campaign, including five out of the backfield catching from Trubisky. At 2.00Bet €100 to win €2001/1Bet £100 to win £200+100Bet $100 to win $2001.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$2001.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2001.0000Bet RM100 to win RM200  with Bet365 take him to score anytime at Soldier Field against the Eagles, who will not be able to cover his speed with their linebackers. Alshon Jeffery used to play for the Bears and will be desperate to haunt his old team.

Although the end result will not work out back him to score anytime at odds of 3.25Bet €100 to win €3259/4Bet £100 to win £325+225Bet $100 to win $3252.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$3252.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp325-0.4444Bet RM100 to win RM325  with Betway. Philadelphia deployed the Philly Special in the Super Bowl to defeat the Patriots, while the Bears employed the same play recently. Back a non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass at 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400  with BetOnline.

Tips Summary

Chicago Bears To Beat Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 1.39Bet €100 to win €13939/100Bet £100 to win £139-256Bet $100 to win $1390.39Bet HK$100 to win HK$139-2.56Bet Rp100 to win Rp1390.3900Bet RM100 to win RM139

Philadelphia Eagles +3.5 Spread
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 2.35Bet €100 to win €23527/20Bet £100 to win £235+135Bet $100 to win $2351.35Bet HK$100 to win HK$2351.35Bet Rp100 to win Rp235-0.7407Bet RM100 to win RM235

Under 41 Total Points To Be Scored
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191

Defensive Or Special Teams Touchdown To Be Scored
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 2.80Bet €100 to win €2809/5Bet £100 to win £280+180Bet $100 to win $2801.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$2801.80Bet Rp100 to win Rp280-0.5556Bet RM100 to win RM280

Tarik Cohen To Score Touchdown Anytime
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 2.00Bet €100 to win €2001/1Bet £100 to win £200+100Bet $100 to win $2001.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$2001.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2001.0000Bet RM100 to win RM200

Alshon Jeffery To Score Touchdown Anytime
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 3.25Bet €100 to win €3259/4Bet £100 to win £325+225Bet $100 to win $3252.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$3252.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp325-0.4444Bet RM100 to win RM325

Non Quarterback To Throw Touchdown Pass
Sunday 6^th January 2019 16:40 ET (21:40 GMT)
Odds: 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400