The Philadelphia Eagles destroyed the Chicago Bears to the tune of 54-11 on Sunday night, although from a standings perspective, the win was meaningless for Philly. A Cowboys win earlier in the day ensured the NFC East won't be decided until the two teams play in Week 17, and some in Philadelphia wondered if coach Chip Kelly should have rested his starters in preparation for the showdown.
Bears vs. Eagles 2013: Sunday night win not meaningless for Eagles
A Cowboys win rendered the Eagles’ Sunday night game technically irrelevant in the NFC East race, but their blowout win over the Bears should give them confidence heading into a critical Week 17 matchup.
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Even after jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, Kelly left his starters in for the majority of the game, and Brandon Lee Gowton at Bleeding Green Nation thinks he made the right decision.
Kelly made the right call. Yeah, he could have rested the starters. Maybe they would have been more fresh for the Dallas finale. It could have been a reasonable decision. But that's not what this team is about. They're about fighting hard and earning what they get. Last week, the team response after the Vikings game was sobering. Based on this week's performance, it was apparent the Eagles gained perspective from that lost and used it constructively to respond well against the Bears.
Of course, had Nick Foles or LeSean McCoy gone down with an injury, there would have been riots in the streets of Philly.
Ironically, the game meant everything for the Bears. Thanks to a Packers loss in the afternoon, Chicago could have clinched the NFC North with a win over the Eagles. Instead, the Bears now have to play Green Bay in a win-or-go-home death match that has Dane Noble at Windy City Gridiron nervous.
On one hand, the Bears get to play in the confines of their home stadium, but after being dismantled by the Eagles, and the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning to action after being sidelined by a fractured collarbone, it leaves us wondering if Marc Trestman can put anything together.
If the Bears win, they claim the NFC North title and a post-season berth. If they lose, they will be sent home to lick their wounds.
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