Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles Matchup Breakdown For Fantasy Football Week 3

• Spread: Eagles -4.5
• O/U: 48.5
• Score Prediction (from the Fantasy Life NFL Betting Model):  PHI 22, CHI 20

Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview

Philadelphia is (2-0), but it may be the ugliest (2-0) on the board. Am I saying this because they failed to cover against the listless Titans? Yeah, probably, but that doesn’t make it untrue.

Hard to complain about Jalen Hurts’ +20 points/game through a fantasy lens, even if those two INTs to Tennessee were outrageous (I’m still having nightmares of the one in the end zone that almost went the entire other way). Gross. Kidding aside, it’s hardly time for a parade when you narrowly escape the Commanders and Titans secondaries.

First thing I noticed watching the Eagles' back was a severe lack of push from a consensus top-3 offensive line. Of course, losing G Landon Dickerson doesn’t help but let’s just call it a general flatness watching this run game. Just not used to seeing PHI buried below the middle of the pack in EPA/rush (-0.16), yards before contact/carry (0.84), or success rate (38.3%).

Maybe it’s Saquon Barkley, who's failed to go off just yet, but has also performed very well after contact (4.7 YAC/attempt). Banged up a little with a shoulder stinger, he’s back at practice and tracking to play. Worth noting that without Barkley in the lineup, Tank Bigsby wasn’t necessarily the golden handcuff some drafters dreamed of. Despite leading carries 13-7, Will Shipley played the majority of snaps, including inside the red zone, with each earning a couple of targets. Time to rethink that backup plan.

Losing Dallas Goedert at TE created a few interesting ripples in the target pond. First, with Eli Stowers also on IR, it’s Johnny Mundt assuming the lion’s share of playing time, even earning three very short targets. He remains mostly fantasy irrelevant, though he’ll help open up further opportunities and plenty of snaps for Makai Lemon. The first-round rookie led the Eagles in routes against TEN behind alpha DeVonta Smith, and despite not earning many looks, I’m remaining encouraged that this new slot role could bear fruit.

• Start: QB Jalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith
• Sit: WR Dontayvion Wicks, TE Johnny Mundt
• Sleeper: WR Makai Lemon

Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. More than just a catchy saying, it’s the current battle hymn for anyone rooting for the Bears in any capacity, real-life or fantasy. As if losing Caleb Williams wasn’t bad enough, now UDFA backup Tyson Bagent’s also not practicing from the concussion protocol. Who’s next? The answer, much to the chagrin of those same Bear lovers … is … Case Keenum.

Yes, that Case Keenum. Not sure what to do with this other than shake my head and pour one out for my worthless Colston Loveland shares. What kind of projections can we put on Keenum, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2023, or attempted over 100 passes since 2019? He’s 38 and rusty. Chicago’s officially down bad.

Expect Ben Johnson to hide his aging QB behind the run game. Doesn’t happen often, but you could start Kyle Monangai next to D’Andre Swift on the same team for this one. After that? Your guess is as good as mine (and as an experienced guesser, give me the under on all projections). Remember, Tennessee ran well when it needed t down the stretch versus these same Eagles — and Chicago’s run game is an order of magnitude better than that.

Not sure if I can even recommend a single pass catcher on the other end of Keenum, a career 6.8 YPA, 85 passer rating quarterback. Now, he’s actually targeted TEs pretty heavily throughout his career (if you’re into old stats), so maybe Loveland’s a pop to start (It would be fantasy football in a nutshell if Loveland dropped 20 fantasy points on everyone’s bench).

Stay away, run away, get away. Do whatever humanly possible to avoid sweating Keenum fantasy production with a head-to-head matchup hanging in the balance on Monday night. Remember, we’re back on board with all the usual suspects the instant Bagent gets the nod — but until then, I fold.

• Start: RB D’Andre Swift, RB Kyle Monangai
• Sit: WR Rome Odunze, WR Luther Burden
• Sleeper:  TE Colston Loveland

Next Week's Bold Headline, Today

Better to be lucky than good. Once again, a trimmed path is laid before the Eagles, who take full advantage. Weird that at (3-0), we’re still not sure they’re a good football team.