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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)Nick Laham/Getty Images

NFL Week 12 Prediction: 10 Reasons Why Vick and Co. Will Beat the Bears

Matt RudnitskyNov 27, 2010

The Philadelphia Eagles (7-3) head to Soldier Field to face off against the Chicago Bears (7-3) in a matchup between two of the top teams in the NFC.

Michael Vick's MVP caliber season is getting the Eagles a whole lot of hype in the media, while the Bears, led by the always-erratic Jay Cutler, have gotten their seven wins quietly.

A Bears win would legitimize their status as Super Bowl contenders, while an Eagles win would confirm the public's fascination with them.

Here are 10 reasons why the Eagles will take out the Bears.

Sacks

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Image
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Image

In the Bears' three losses (to the Giants, Seahawks and Redskins), they allowed Jay Cutler to be sacked a combined 20 times (including 10 against the G-Men).

The Bears' sub-par offensive line combined with Cutler's tendency to hold on to the ball too long gets them in trouble, and Philly is ninth in the league in sacks, with 26.

If Trent Cole and the rest of the Eagles can get to Cutler (which seems likely), they'll have success.

LeSean McCoy

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07:  LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

The Eagles can't expect to move the ball well on the ground against the Bears' second-ranked rush defense, but LeSean McCoy's skill-set at least gives them a shot.

Ahmad Bradshaw has been one of the only running backs to have success against the Bears (23 rushes, 129 yards and a TD in a win).  McCoy is similar to Bradshaw with his elusiveness in the open field, and he should at least break a few solid gains, opening things up for Michael Vick in the passing game.

Interceptions

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Lah
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Lah

Jay Cutler's interception problems are well documented (12-10 TD-INT ratio in 2010, 93-93 for his career).

DeAngelo Hall picked off Cutler four times himself in the Redskins' win over the Bears, and it wouldn't be a surprise for an Eagle to do the same (despite the absence of Asante Samuel).

The Eagles are first in the NFL with 19 interceptions (the next-closest team has 15), and that will pose a huge problem for Cutler.

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Turnover Margin

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07:  Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his fourth quarter sack against the Indianapolis Colts with teammate Brandon Graham #54 on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eag
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his fourth quarter sack against the Indianapolis Colts with teammate Brandon Graham #54 on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eag

Sticking with the theme of turnovers, Philly has a huge edge.

Chicago is sixth in the league in turnover margin at plus-three, but the Eagles are first, with a much better mark of plus-15.

Matt Forte

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears is dropped by London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears is dropped by London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Philadelphia's run-defense is merely average, giving up four yards per carry.

But fortunately for them, Matt Forte hasn't run the ball well all year, at just 3.8 yards per carry.  Despite being a full-time starter, he is barely on pace for 900 yards on the season.

Secondary

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24:  Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles grabs the ball away fom Nate Washington #85 of the Tennessee Titans for an interception during the NFL game at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Andy
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles grabs the ball away fom Nate Washington #85 of the Tennessee Titans for an interception during the NFL game at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy

The Bears are at their best when they are having success with the deep ball, but Philly gives up just 6.6 yards per pass attempt.

The Eagles should be able to contain Johnny Knox from beating them down the field, and if they can do that, the Bears will struggle to score points.

DeSean Jackson

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a first down against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a first down against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Bears are a tough team to beat deep behind Danieal Manning and Chris Harris, but DeSean Jackson is the NFL's best deep threat.

If anyone can beat Chicago deep, it's Jackson.

Jeremy Maclin

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07:  Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Jacob Lacey #27 of the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24.  (
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Jacob Lacey #27 of the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (

There aren't many teams out there that have two players that can beat you down the field.

Maclin isn't as fast as Jackson (who is?), but he is just as good of a receiver.

If the Bears key in on Jackson, Maclin will beat them.  There's just no way you can stop both.

Strength Of Schedule

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants goes to the turf after a run late in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Manning fumbled on t
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants goes to the turf after a run late in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Manning fumbled on t

It's pretty safe to say that if there were BCS standings for the NFL, the Bears would be below the Eagles.

The Bears have only beaten one team with a winning record (Green Bay), while the Eagles have beaten four (Jacksonville, Atlanta, Indianapolis, New York Giants).

Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michael Vick has been the best player in the NFL in games he's started (16 total touchdowns, zero interceptions, one lost fumble).

The Bears boast the league's top scoring defense, but Vick has been performing against everyone.

Until someone stops him (the Giants came somewhat close), don't bet against the reinvented Vick.

Comments

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against  of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

What do you think?

Will Philly actually win?

Let me know in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.

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