Case Keenum had gone nearly three years without an NFL start. On Monday night, the 38-year-old quarterback led the Chicago Bears to a 27-7 victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, according to the original game report.
Keenum steps in for injured starters
Keenum got the job because Caleb Williams was sidelined with a hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent was recovering from a concussion. He made the most of it. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score, finishing 24 of 34 for 247 yards with no interceptions.
He started quickly, completing five of six passes on the opening drive and hitting Luther Burden III for a touchdown. His 41-yard scoring pass to Kalif Raymond later gave Chicago some breathing room. In the fourth quarter he capped a drive of more than eight minutes with a one-yard touchdown run.
Defense takes over after halftime
The game was close early. Philadelphia trailed 10-7 at halftime after Jalen Hurts returned from a concussion evaluation and scored on a quarterback sneak. The Eagles did not score again.
Chicago held Philadelphia to 52 net yards in the second half and forced three turnovers overall. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman intercepted Andy Dalton in the end zone on Dalton’s only pass attempt while Hurts was out of the game. Linebacker T.J. Edwards then picked off Hurts on fourth down late in the third quarter, ending another Eagles possession.
Philadelphia also hurt itself with 10 penalties and had no takeaways all night. A game that was tight at the break turned into a comfortable Bears win.
What it means for both teams
Both clubs are now 2-1. For Chicago, the result offers more than a better record. It showed the offense can move the ball with Keenum under center while Williams recovers from his hamstring injury.
The report did not say when Williams or Bagent might return. For now, the veteran who waited nearly three years for another start has given the Bears a win over one of the league’s early standouts.
Source: thesource.com
Image: thesource.com
