by Hannah Petrukovich

The Chicago Bears will ride a two-game winning streak into Lincoln Financial Field this Monday where they are set to face unpredictable Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams have had interesting 2011 campaigns that have featured everything from bitter loses early, to genuine optimism over the last few weeks. One of these teams will win a third consecutive game at the others’ expense.

The Bears are coming off their bye week and have outscored the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers a combined 63-28. Historically, the Bears have been very successful when it comes to putting their claws on Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Vick as a starter has thrown for 187 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions en route to a 0-3 mark. In five games versus Chicago Vick has been sacked a grand total of fifteen times.  “It’s real difficult for us because he creates a lot of time for their (receivers) to get open,” defensive lineman Anthony Adams said. “But we believe in our pass rush and our rush is going to get him and make it easy for us in the back seven. So we’re just got to stay in cover and believe in our pass rush. ”

Vick isn’t the only potent offensive weapon the Eagles posses on their roster. Running back LaSean McCoy has averaged the league high 107.7 yards per game and has scored at least one touchdown in every single outing. On the other hand, Chicago’s defense has limited the Vikings and Bucs to a total 83 rushing yards over the past two weeks. However McCoy has rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown in two games against Chicago in the past.

The Bears also have their own running back, Matt Forte, currently leading the league with 1,091 yards, making up over 40 percent of his team’s offensive yardage output. Needless to say, he’s feeling the pressure. “The running back position in the most physically demanding on the field,” Forte said Tuesday to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In order for the Bears to win, they will have to put their internal issues aside, and focus on taking a team down who is also a roll and has playing to get into playoff contention as well.