Down 20-7 with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter and the ball at the Philadelphia Eagles’ 49-yard line, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni opted to take a delay of game penalty and punt the football rather than attempt a fourth-down conversion needing just one yard. If the Eagles had converted the fourth down, they would have had a chance to cut down the Bears' lead in the third quarter and gain some much-needed momentum. While the Eagles defense held the Bears to a three-and-out punt on their next possession, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared to feel extra pressure on his next drive, forcing an interception on a 4th and 5 play from the Chicago 46-yard line with 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Chicago then put the game away with an eight-play, 40-yard drive that took over eight minutes off the clock and ended with a touchdown via a quarterback sneak by veteran backup Case Keenum to make it a 27-7 ballgame, the contest's final score. During his postgame news conference, Sirianni said in hindsight that he wished he had attempted to go for the 4th and 1, even though it would have been a long one yard for the Eagles. (Meaning the tush push might not have been the play call.) "As I look back at that, I probably should have went for it there," Sirianni said, via video posted to X from EJ Smith of PHLY Voice. "Didn't like that decision.
You know, the thought process was right there. I didn't want to give him a short field, but again, it was a long one... I like the decision to go for it on the fourth and five.
"Hindsight, I feel like I should have went for it on the fourth and one and a half." Gaining one yard is a lot easier than gaining five yards. Regardless, the Eagles needed to make a lot more games to win the game on Monday night. The Bears, led by third-string quarterback Case Keenum, outgained the Eagles in total yards 375-248.
Philadelphia lost the turnover battle 3-0. The loss to the Bears was a wake-up call for an Eagles team that narrowly defeated the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans to start the season. They haven't appeared to play to their full potential this season.
Philadelphia will next play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4. For more on the Eagles and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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