Case Keenum Makes Bears History in Monday Night Win Over Eagles
The Chicago Bears turned to their third-string quarterback on Monday night, and he delivered one of the most surprising performances of the young NFL season.
Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Bears beat the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football. Chicago's defense forced three turnovers, and Philadelphia never held a lead. Both teams are now 2-1.
A 38-Year-Old Backup Steps In
Chicago's starting quarterback, Caleb Williams, was sidelined with a hamstring injury, so the Bears handed the job to Keenum, a veteran journeyman who hadn't started a game in almost three years.
He looked right at home. Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, according to ESPN, and scored his first rushing touchdown since 2019. At 38 years and 223 days old, he also became the oldest player in Bears history to score a rushing touchdown.
"He played really efficient football," Bears coach Ben Johnson said after the game.
Chicago Strikes First, and the Eagles Stumble
The Bears set the tone immediately. Their opening drive went 66 yards in 11 plays, and Keenum capped it with an 8-yard shovel pass to receiver Luther Burden III for a touchdown.
Philadelphia's offense, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, struggled from the start. An intentional grounding penalty on Hurts stalled a promising first drive. On the next possession, running back Tank Bigsby fumbled at his own 15-yard line after a hit from Bears defender Austin Booker.
Philadelphia's defense bailed the offense out that time. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell broke up a pass at the goal line, and Chicago came away with no points.
The Eagles' next mistake was more costly. Hurts briefly left the game for a concussion evaluation, and backup Andy Dalton came in. On his only pass of the night, from the Chicago 2-yard line, Dalton threw an interception in the end zone. It was the first career interception for Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman.
Philadelphia's Only Answer
Hurts was cleared and returned, and he finally sparked the offense late in the first half. Receiver DeVonta Smith made a 30-yard catch to set up a 62-yard drive, and Hurts scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak on the final play of the half. That cut Chicago's lead to 10-7.
It was as close as the Eagles would get.
The Bears Pull Away
Philadelphia's offense stalled completely after halftime, opening the third quarter with three straight three-and-outs and just 12 total yards, NBC Sports reported.
Chicago took advantage. Keenum found receiver Kalif Raymond wide open across the middle, and Raymond raced the rest of the way for a 41-yard touchdown. Raymond finished with six catches for 90 yards.
Late in the third quarter, the Eagles gambled on fourth-and-5 from the Chicago 46, and Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards intercepted Hurts. It was Chicago's third takeaway of the night.
The Bears then put the game away with a 13-play drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock. On a fourth-and-2, Keenum drew Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo offside with a hard count to keep the drive alive. He finished it himself with a 1-yard touchdown run with 7:19 left, making it 27-7.
By the Numbers
The Bears outgained the Eagles 375 yards to 248 and held the ball for nearly 37 minutes. Hurts finished 16 of 25 for 153 yards and an interception, while star running back Saquon Barkley ran for 82 yards on 15 carries. Philadelphia converted just two of nine third downs and committed 10 penalties.
"I think we all have to own that loss right there," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.
What's Next
The Eagles return home to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported. The Bears host the 1-2 New York Jets, and Keenum is expected to make another start if Williams remains sidelined.
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