The game is not even over, but Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears can easily consider it a successful showing, particularly from their offense led by third-string quarterback Case Keenum against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football” in Week 3.
Through the midway point of the third quarter, Keenum had 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions on 22-for-29 (75.8%) passing. The Bears led the Eagles 20-7 and won the game 27-7.
Keenum finished with 247 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 110.8 passer rating.
Bears Show Well vs Eagles on ‘Monday Night Football’
Ben Johnson, Bears Win Key Battles in War With Eagles
Much was made about the Bears being without Caleb Williams or QB2 Tyson Bagent in this matchup, including that Johnson had never called plays for a starter who wasn’t a former No. 1 overall pick of the draft.
Keenum skewed the extreme as a former college free agent.
What is arguably the most intriguing part is that Keenum and the Bears undoubtedly left points on the field in the first half.
Some of that was due to decisions Johnson made, taking the responsibility off the players’ shoulders. At the 3:12 mark in the third quarter, the Bears had 284 yards of offense to 198 yards for the Eagles, who entered the contest far healthier than their opponent.
That is a testament to the defense and coordinator Dennis Allen, too.
There was still more than a quarter to go in this contest as of this writing (since updated), and it was already easily one of Johnson’s best coaching jobs as the Bears’ head coach.
Johnson and Keenum had matters further complicated by the loss of starting left tackle Braxton Jones to a knee injury. The Bears answered a lot of questions about themselves as a team in their first primetime game of the 2026 season.
That is true on both sides of the ball against a tough opponent with revenge on its mind.
