Eagles vs. Bears NFL DFS Showdown Picks and Strategy for Monday Night Football

Entering the season, the hype for the Chicago Bears was through the roof, especially after Ben Johnson said that he wanted to break the single-season scoring record. After Week 1, it looked as if we were watching The Godfather II or Better Call Saul, as the Bears put up 59 points with 552 yards of total offense. Then we got Al Capone’s Vault in Week 2, as weather and the Minnesota Vikings defense limited Chicago to three points. To make matters worse, Caleb Williams suffered a leg injury and is out for this one.

The Philadelphia Eagles had some questions entering the season, as AJ Brown was shipped out while a new offensive coordinator was implemented. So, despite having one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, the Eagles were viewed as a topping-less cup of Pinkberry. Well, through two games, Philadelphia is 2-0 and scored 24 points in both contests. Ho hum.

With Williams out at quarterback for Chicago, Case Keenum will likely get the nod. Keenum is an 11-year veteran with 79 touchdowns, 51 interceptions and an 84.6 quarterback rating in 80 games, 66 of those in a starting capacity. The completion percentage is 62.3. Keenum did have some rushing prowess earlier in his career, but at 35 years old, there likely won’t be much running around for him in this one. It will help that Chicago has the fifth-best offensive line per PFF.

I’d expect plenty of rushes with an emphasis on the short passing attack. Keenum has a career 6.8 yards per attempt, but was at 5.5 in two starts with Houston last season.

The Eagles rush defense hasn’t been great so far this season, allowing three touchdowns and -4.66 expected points, the seventh-worst. There is talent on the defensive line, though, and the unit is allowing 4.2 yards per attempt. The pass defense has allowed a completion percentage of 57.4 with two touchdowns. The expected points are -7.94. The Eagles don’t blitz often (eighth-fewest) and the pressure rate is 21st. The three sacks are fourth-fewest and the unit has yet to force a turnover.

The Bears defense is #notgood. The numbers don’t look as bad as they should due to the Week 2 weather game. In Week 1, the defense allowed 353 yards passing and 125 on the ground. Philadelphia has the fourth-best offensive line per PFF and should have no problems opening up holes. Chicago is third in pressure rate while blitzing at the fifth-highest rate. The unit has allowed a 58.6 completion percentage and racked up three turnovers.

There should be plenty of opportunities for the Eagles to make plays against this Bears defense, but will Philadelphia be aggressive and take advantage when they are presented?

DraftKings Sportsbook has PHI -4.5 over CHI with the total at 41.5.

Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (PHI @ CHI)

Eagles vs. Bears DraftKings Showdown Captain’s Picks

Jalen Hurts ($16,200 CP): Through two games, Hurts is completing 64.5 percent of his passes and has thrown five touchdowns. The quarterback rating is 110.7. Now, the passing volume is always an issue for Hurts, but he’s usually efficient with his opportunities. The reason he’s up here is the rushing ability. He scrambles, tush pushes and gets designed runs called. He’s carried 12 times for 62 yards this season. He’s yet to score and there’s a good chance he gets off the schneid in this one.

Best UTIL Plays for Eagles vs. Bears

Saquon Barkley ($10,000): Barkley suffered a neck stinger last week and there’s a chance it affects him for this one or he doesn’t get a full workload. That said, he is off the injury report and I want to try and corner the market on all the points for Philadelphia. I have a sneaky suspicion that Barkley reminds everyone that he’s one of the best running backs in the league.

Zach Ertz ($2,600): Dallas Goedert is out for this one, so Ertz should be the number one passing option at tight end for the Eagles.

Cole Kmet ($3,000): Chicago uses 12 personnel at the 10th-highest rate early on this season. Kmet has played 57% and 69% of the snaps. He’s only garnered four targets, but Colston Loveland only has five. With Williams out and Keenum in, I think the tight ends are more involved.

Eagles vs. Bears DFS Fades

DeVonta Smith ($10,600): Last week, Smith garnered a whopping 13 targets and caught 10 for 117 yards and a touchdown with Barkley out for much of the game. In Week 1, though, he hauled in three of six targets for 53 yards with Barkley in. Now, there were other factors outside of Barkley’s health that led to the production discrepancy, but I do think Smith’s production is closer to Week 1’s than Week 2’s. Can’t play everyone and the story I’m telling is Hurts and Barkley score most of the fantasy goodies for Philadelphia.

Eagles vs. Bears Showdown Game Script

I don’t think this is a barn burner with Case Keenum quarterbacking the Bears. The total is 41.5 and both rushing attacks should be busy, which would keep the clock running. But points will be scored and the Eagles should find that endeavor much easier. Do I dare make it the 24-point trifecta?

Final Score: Eagles 24, Bears 20