Three Things the 2026 Bears Must Do to Win in Week Three
The Chicago Bears will get their first prime-time game of 2026 as they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Chicago is 1-1 and coming off a rough loss to the Vikings. Not only are the Eagles undefeated, but the Bears will also be down Caleb Williams. It's still unknown who will start in Week Three. Despite this, they cannot give up hope. They can still walk away with a win, but they will need to play their best football and address three key factors.
Play Clean Football
This was a major emphasis heading into Week Two, and nothing improved. Chicago recorded eight penalties, most of them being on the offensive line. They were just drive killers that prevented them from moving the ball. In Week One, they had 12 penalties. A combined 20 penalties through the first two games is unacceptable. If they keep this up, they give themselves very little chance to stay in games.
Unfortunately, they need to clean up more than the penalties. Minnesota blocked a field goal attempt that would have tied the game. D’Andre Swift fumbled at the goal line, costing Chicago a touchdown. Devin Bush dropped an interception that could have stopped the Vikings from scoring. These are just a few of the mistakes they have made this past week alone. If they want to knock off the Eagles, they need cleaner play.
Get Colston Loveland Involved
One of the most concerning things this season has been Colston Loveland's absence. A strong rookie season had extremely high expectations. He has not lived up to that, recording only one catch for three yards. The 22-year-old is one of the key players who need to break out this week. Chicago will be starting a backup quarterback. If Loveland can at least get a few catches, he is a great safety blanket for whoever starts. He is also an elite athlete who can take over a game. The Bears need someone like that who can lead the offense.
If the passing game does nothing, it lets the Eagles focus on shutting down the run game, which helped Chicago beat them last year. The run game is crucial to the Bears, as it serves as the team's identity. A slow run game not only limits the offense but would also give the Eagles the ability to control the game. Loveland has the talent to be the focal point of an offense, but he needs to show it this week. If he is quiet again, it is hard to see who can step up.
The Offensive Line Needs to Control the Game
Finally, the Bears need their offensive line to step up. Last week, they were not awful. However, they did not give Williams a clean pocket. This cannot happen again. Tyson Bagent is the main backup, but he is in concussion protocol. This could set Case Keenum up to start. Neither of those guys has Williams' mobility. They both need a clean pocket to run the offense. Also, the run game relies on the offensive line playing physical. They make up the offense, and a rough game gives Chicago little chance of winning.
Final Thoughts
Things may not look good for Chicago in Week Three. They face a talented team that has plenty of playoff experience. However, the Bears can still win. It starts with playing cleaner football and limiting mistakes. They also need to get Loveland involved more. The offensive line has to control the game and give the quarterback time to throw. Following these three keys could give Chicago a chance at knocking off the Eagles on Monday Night Football.
