Bears vs. Eagles: Stopping Michael Vick and Other Key Positional Matchups

When the Chicago Bears line up against Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles Monday night, some key matchups will be the deciding factors in this important game for both teams.

Both the Bears and the Eagles are riding two-game winning streaks while trying to remain in the playoff hunt. Last year in Week 12, the Bears beat the Eagles 31-26 at Soldier Field to improve to 8-3.

After some early struggles, the Bears have been more effective on offense the last two weeks, averaging 386 total yards per game in their two victories.

The Eagles added some key free agents on defense in the offseason, but struggled early on, giving up 352 yards per game while losing four of their first five games this season.

In their last two games, Philadelphia has only yielded an average of 277 total yards per game.

As most teams have found, the key to victory over the Eagles is to contain the revitalized quarterback Michael Vick. With his elusive running game and strong arm, Vick poses a challenge for NFL defenses every week.

For the Bears to win, they need to stop Vick, as well as take advantage of these key matchups.

Michael Vick vs. Bears Defense

Any good pass-rush should wreak havoc on an opposing team's quarterback and that team's offensive game plan.

When Michael Vick is behind center, it takes a little more effort to slow him down due to his tremendous running ability.

The Bears did a great job of putting pressure on Vick during their victory in 2010. Vick was sacked four times by Bears defensive linemen.

Once Vick eludes those linemen, it is important that Brian Urlacher or any free defensive backs can neutralize Vick's scrambling.

The Bears also excelled at this last year, limiting Vick to only 44 yards on nine carries.

If Vick has time to pass, the offensive weapons at his disposal can cause problems for the Bears.  Vick has proven that he is comfortable in the pocket since his return to the NFL, throwing for 32 touchdowns in 19 games, while only throwing 14 interceptions.

Matt Forte vs. Eagles Defense

On Monday night, the Eagles will try and contain Bears running back Matt Forte, something that no team has been able to do in 2011.

Forte has rushed for 672 yards in seven games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

He is also the Bears' leading receiver with 419 yards on 38 receptions.

The Eagles are 19th in run defense in 2011, and that's following a win over Dallas, who abandoned their running game early after a large deficit to the Eagles.

Similar to 2010, the Bears should employ a more conservative offense to offset the expected Eagles' pass-rush and blitz packages. It was around this time last year that the Bears and Mike Martz had an epiphany, simplifying the game plan in order to give Jay Cutler and the offense a chance at success. 

Forte should continue to get the bulk of the Bears' workload. Through seven games, Forte has averaged 18 carries as well as seven targets a week from Jay Cutler.

For the Eagles to be successful Monday night, stopping Matt Forte is vital.

The Bears Offensive Line vs. the Eagles Front Four

One of the Bears' worst games for the offensive line this year came in Week 5, on a Monday night against the Detroit Lions.

In front of a national audience, the Bears committed nine false-start penalties and allowed quarterback Jay Cutler to be pressured all night.

For the Bears to have any kind of success and offensive balance this Monday night against the Eagles, the line has to hold and protect Cutler.

The Bears have been getting better at pass-blocking during the Bears' current modest two-game winning streak.

With the expected return from injury of rookie lineman Gabe Carimi, the Bears could have added depth—if not this week, then in Week 10 against Detroit.

The Eagles added defensive end Jason Babin and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins in the offseason. Babin and Jenkins have combined for 14 sacks after only seven games.

This may be the Bears offensive line's biggest challenge to this point. For the Bears to have any shot at beating the Eagles, the line needs to protect Cutler.

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LeSean McCoy vs. Bears Defense

The Eagles have their own version of Matt Forte—running back LeSean McCoy.

Like Forte, McCoy is also an excellent pass-catcher, averaging 450 receiving yards during his first two seasons in the NFL.

Not only do the Bears have to account for Michael Vick and his scrambling abilities, they have to watch for McCoy on the ground and through the air.

The Eagles come into the game with the NFL's leading rushing offense. The Eagles, who are also ranked first in overall offense, have averaged 180 yards rushing per game in 2011.

Coming off of his dominating performance against the Cowboys in Week 8, LeSean McCoy has averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2011 and has scored 10 times.

Expect a busy night for Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, as one of them will most likely be responsible for Michael Vick.

They'll also be tasked with stopping McCoy when he breaks through the line.

The Bears Wide Receivers vs. the Eagles Secondary

With the strong possibility of Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett returning from injury, the Bears wide receivers are looking to be more productive against the Eagles.

Depending on how the game develops, especially in how the Bears' pass-blocking schemes effectively work, it could be another quiet night for the Bears wide receivers.

If the Bears have to frequently use two tight ends to block, the receivers might not be any match for the Eagles' talented secondary.

The Eagles added All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in the offseason and traded for Arizona cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

It will be important to the Bears' success if Cutler's favorite target, Bennett, returns for the game. If he's able to make some catches, it should open up the game for Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Roy Williams.

If the Bears' passing game is ineffective early on Monday night, the Eagles will probably load up on Matt Forte with eight up front.

Philadelphia Offense vs. the Bears Secondary

The post-Chris Harris era begins this week for the second time in four years.

Harris was released by the Bears this week after his poor performance in 2011.

That means that the Bears are still going with rookie free safety Chris Conte and second-year safety Major Wright.

The two young safeties will be counted on to prevent big plays from the Eagles' potent offense.

While they're the No. 1 offense in the league, the Eagles have two big-play threats in wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

The wide receiver tandem should pose a challenge for Charles Tillman and the Bears cornerbacks.

After the Bears defense gave up huge gains to the Lions in Week 5, they have contained their last two opponents and have not given up any of the big plays that plagued the team early on in 2011.

Conte made a huge play with an interception in the end zone against Tampa Bay in Week 7.

The Bears will need to force turnovers in addition to preventing big gains in order to stop the Eagles' offensive attack Monday night.

Devin Hester vs. the Eagles Special Teams Unit

The Philadelphia Eagles are the sixth-best team in defending punt returns this year.

Eagles' opponents have only averaged 6.5 yards per punt return in 2011. The Eagles are 16th in kickoff return coverage.

Another key to a road victory for the Bears will be the game-changing abilities of Devin Hester.

If the Eagles kick to Hester, it is important that he gives the Bears good field position throughout the game.

If the Bears are starting their drives inside their own 20, the Eagles' pass-rush and the crowd noise might equal another Monday night disaster for Chicago.

If Hester could actually break one and get his 12th career punt return for a touchdown, it could be a big boost to the Bears' chances for a victory.