Eagles-Bears preview: Tougher test for Wentz

Carson Wentz's second game will be more difficult than his first. The Bears have more talent than the Browns, and Wentz must introduce a silent snap count to combat the difficult road environment he'll experience at Soldier Field. Also, he's playing without reliable tight end Zach Ertz. That makes Monday's game a good test for Wentz, who is trying to become the fifth rookie quarterback to start 2-0 since 1970. Wentz will need to rely on his wide receivers in their matchup against the Bears secondary. Jordan Matthews was Wentz's favorite target last week, catching seven of 14 targeted passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Look for Matthews to again be a top target, although veteran cornerback Tracy Porter could see some time on Matthews. When Matthews is in the slot, watch the matchup against 5-foot-9 cornerback Bryce Callahan.

With Kyle Fuller questionable, the Bears' cornerbacks other than Porter are all unproven. Second-year pro Jacoby Glenn started last week after playing only one game last year as an undrafted rookie, and fourth-round pick Deiondre' Hall has good size (6-2, 201) and could see time. The Eagles could play more three-receiver sets on Monday without Ertz in the lineup, getting Dorial Green-Beckham and Josh Huff more involved along with Nelson Agholor. Look for tight end Trey Burton to join Brent Celek in the offense with Ertz down, too.

The Bears can pressure Wentz around the edges. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, the Bears' first-round pick, is a dynamic athlete who finished with six tackles and a half sack in his debut. Willie Young has 161/2 sacks in his last two seasons with the Bears and comes around the other side. Middle linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan are both experienced players in the middle of the defense.

The Eagles will have Lane Johnson at right tackle for the second consecutive week - a positive development considering that the team awaits word on when Johnson will be suspended for using a banned supplement. The entire offensive line remained intact last week, and it will need to open holes for Ryan Mathews. Doug Pederson wants to show a commitment to the run, and Houston rushed for 129 yards against the Bears last week. The Texans called 35 rushes and 35 passes last week, and the Eagles could seek a similar balance on Monday.

When the Bears have the ball

The Eagles' defensive line must earn its money Monday against Jay Cutler. When Cutler has time in the pocket, he has the talent to hurt a defense. But when he's under pressure, he can become turnover-prone. The Eagles' defense is built around getting pressure with four rushers. The Bears have two Pro Bowlers at guards: Kyle Long and Josh Sitton. They will be a challenge for the Eagles' interior pass rush, which includes Fletcher Cox, who has five sacks in five games dating back to 2015. Eagles defensive ends Connor Barwin, Vinny Curry, and Brandon Graham could have a good day against Bears tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie.

When Cutler has time to throw, his top target will be Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery. The toughest matchup of the game for the Eagles will be trying to cover Jeffery, who is 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds and is one of the NFL's top young wide receivers. He had four catches for 105 yards last week. On the other side, the Eagles must worry about Kevin White, the No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft who missed his entire rookie season. White was limited to three catches in his debut last week, but he was targeted seven times. He could see more production on Monday, and the Eagles must be careful with White's run-after-catch ability in the screen game. Eddie Royal is also a challenge in the slot, drawing praise from both safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

The Eagles enter the game with only three cornerbacks because Leodis McKelvin is out with a strained hamstring. Nolan Carroll and Ron Brooks will be the cornerbacks in the base defense, with Jalen Mills playing outside cornerback and Brooks sliding to the slot when the Eagles play in their nickel formation. Mills, a rookie, could have a tough assignment against either Jeffery or White.

The Bears' top running back is Jeremy Langford, who rushed 17 times for 57 yards last week. Although he will get his share of carries, the Bears pose a bigger threat through the air.

Big number: 4

Jordan Matthews has topped 50 receiving yards and caught at least one touchdowns in his last four games dating back to late season, which was the longest active streak in the NFL entering this weekend. Since Week 15 of 2015, Matthews has 28 catches for 431 yards and five touchdowns. Matthews is clearly the Eagles' No. 1 receiver, but his first two seasons put him in good company around the NFL. Since 1990, he's one of only five players with 800-plus receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons. The others are Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones, Marques Colston, and Randy Moss.

Predictions

Zach Berman: Eagles 28, Bears 27

Jeff McLane: Bears 23, Eagles 20