Eagles-Bears predictions

1. How will the Eagles offense do?

Jeff McLane: The Bears have surely spent the week dissecting Carson Wentz's film from his first game and looking for areas in which to attack. Blitzing the rookie quarterback may not be the way to go. Wentz was excellent vs. the Browns when they sent extra rushers. But veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio should have some tricks up his sleeve. The Bears run a scheme similar to the Browns. They have a two-gap 3-4 base front. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (6-4, 336) is strong at the point of attack and could be a handful for center Jason Kelce. The Bears rotate four outside linebackers. Leonard Floyd may be the most lethal on pass downs. Former Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan is versatile and can downhill rather quickly vs. the run. It was tough sledding for Ryan Mathews last week. The Eagles offensive line wasn't great, but some of the missed blocks that led to Mathews' and Darren Sproles' struggles came from the tight ends and receivers.

Will Doug Pederson call more run options plays for Wentz this week? It was an untapped resource in the opener. But he's another week recovered from fractured ribs and a few keepers could really open space up for the running backs. The Bears aren't especially stout on the back end. Cornerback Tracy Porter is the veteran of the secondary. Kyle Fuller had a solid rookie season two years ago, but he has had issues adjusting to Fangio's man-heavy scheme. Wentz will be without tight end Zach Ertz (displaced rib). Trey Burton is a decent replacement, and Brent Celek is still a threat down the middle of the field, but Jordan Matthews may have to shoulder even more of the passing load this week.

Zach Berman: The loss of Ertz is a big one for the Eagles. He was so valuable for Wentz last week as a safety valve – look no further than the fourth-down conversion – and I don't think Celek or Burton will match the production. Instead, look for the Eagles to play more three-receiver sets and try to take advantage of Chicago's cornerbacks. With Fuller questionable, the Bears don't have much experience at cornerback other than Porter. I'm curious to see whether Porter follows Jordan Matthews, or if Matthews can line up in the slot against 5-foot-9 slot cornerback Bryce Callahan. That's a matchup to focus on Monday night. Also, look for Dorial Green-Beckham to take on a bigger role.

I don't think Wentz matches last week's performance. The big takeaway from last week was no turnovers, but that'll be hard to duplicate on Monday. This is a tough spot for him on the road. He'll move the ball through the air, but you'll see more rookie mistakes. That's why the running game will be important. Expect Ryan Mathews to have a better performance than last week. The Eagles will stick to the run, and Mathews will be over 4 yards per carry.

Houston had a balanced offense when they beat Chicago, and the Eagles will do the same. But they'll need to have a good night passing, and the three-receiver sets will be key.

2. How will the Eagles defense do?

McLane: Jim Schwartz's crew more than held its own against a Browns offense that had trouble sustaining drives with Robert Griffin III at the controls. It's difficult to say how much of the success was the Eagles and how much was the quarterback's inefficiency? Monday night's contest should give a better read on the unit overall. Jay Cutler is certainly an upgrade under center. Alshon Jeffery is an elite receiver. Kevin White has No. 2 receiver capabilities, but he's still adjusting after missing last season with a knee injury. Both receivers are 6-3. The Eagles are down a cornerback. Leodis McKelvin is out with a hamstring injury. Ron Brooks is expected to start in his place and move into the slot in the nickel. Rookie Jalen Mills will then take his spot on the outside. Jeffery will have size advantages over both corners and Nolan Carroll, who's starting on the other side. He loves jump ball passes. The Bears will line him up all over.

Jeremy Langford is in his second season and takes over the No. 1 role for Matt Forte, who signed with the Jets in the offseason. The Bears like to run a stretch play that takes advantage of his cutback ability. The Eagles' edge defenders – Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry – will have to set the edge and to help keep him contained.

Berman: There's no question the Bears have an advantage against the Eagles' secondary, which has only three healthy cornerbacks. Jeffery is capable of a big night, and White has tantalizing talent. Plus, Eddie Royal is a challenge in the slot. Look for Mills to be targeted. The safeties will help him out, but  this is a tough spot for the rookie cornerback.

However, the key to the game will be the Eagles' pass rush. The Bears offensive line is still coming together, and Charles Leno and Bobby Massie at tackles will have a hard time with the Eagles edge rushers. The strength of the Eagles' defense is supposed to be the defensive line, and this is a night where they must earn their money. Cutler is a different quarterback when he's under pressure – aren't most quarterbacks like that? – and it'll be the Eagles' pressure that's the difference on Monday. The Bears need to improve their screen game, and that' where the Eagles defense is vulnerable. Look for the Bears to get Langford involved, but I'm not sure that'll be enough to offset the Eagles pass rushers.

3. Who's a player to watch?

McLane: Caleb Sturgis had a great training camp and preseason. He clearly outkicked Cody Parkey. But the conditions were mostly ideal. He missed his first field goal attempt from 46 yards in the opener. It was windy out and he said after that he should have aimed a little more left. Nevertheless, Sturgis should be good from that distance about 9.5 times out of 10. They don't call Chicago the Windy City for nothing. The weathermen aren't calling for gusty conditions by kickoff, but winds should be around 10-15 m.p.h. and there is a chance of thunderstorms. I'm expecting a close game. Kicking could be crucial.

Berman: I need to go with Jalen Mills. The Eagles are so confident in Mills that they traded Eric Rowe and didn't feel the need to supplement the position. Other defenders have raved about Mills, who has played better than a seventh-round pick all summer. But this is a much different test. Whether it's Jeffery or White, Mills will be in the spotlight on Monday. If he holds his own, it will be an encouraging sign for the defense moving forward because they've struggled with homegrown cornerbacks in recent years. If he struggles, the Eagles are in trouble because they have no other depth at the position. They entered the season with only four cornerbacks, and the Rowe trade left them without their highest-drafted cornerback since 2002.

4. What's your prediction?

McLane: The Bears held a halftime lead over the Texans last week before ultimately falling, 23-14. Cutler threw a costly interception in the second half. He's been known to do on occasion. But he can carve up defenses, like any quarterback, when given time in the pocket. A lot of countering the Eagles' rush will fall on Cutler's shoulders, but rookie center Cody Whitehair will have to help with calling protections. He's predictably had his struggles. Fletcher Cox may be licking his chops. Jeffery will be a bear to cover. Wentz faces another challenge. Pederson will want to once again use play action to give him time or get him outside the pocket. But those fakes won't work as much if the Eagles can't get the ground game moving. Bears 23, Eagles 20.

Berman: If the Eagles don't put enough pressure on Cutler, it will be a bad Tuesday morning in Philadelphia. My guess is the defensive line wins that matchup, and the story on Tuesday is about the Eagles defense. They had three sacks last week on 29 drop-backs. That's a good rate, and it'll be even better against the Bears. The line does enough to offset the vulnerabilities in the secondary. Wentz will play well enough for the offense to score points, but he's helped by field position from the defense. This game will be close. I predicted a 28-27 Eagles win in the newspaper, although I think that's too many points. Give me Eagles 21, Bears 20, and Philadelphia enjoys a happy week before an unforgiving matchup against Pittsburgh.