Case Keenum leads Bears past Eagles 27–7 in first start since 2023

Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third as the Chicago Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27–7 on Monday night, September 28. Starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, Keenum gave Chicago an early lead, and the Bears’ defense kept Philadelphia scoreless after halftime. Both teams finished the game with 2–1 records.

The 38-year-old completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards in his first start since Christmas Eve 2023. His touchdown throws went to Luther Burden and Kalif Raymond; his one-yard run in the fourth quarter completed Chicago’s scoring. Philadelphia, meanwhile, turned the ball over three times and did not take the ball away from the Bears.

Keenum sets the pace

Keenum finished Chicago’s opening possession with an eight-yard shovel pass to Burden for a touchdown. NFL.com reported that he completed five of six passes for 45 yards on that drive. It was an immediate contribution from a quarterback who had not started since playing for Houston in a 36–22 loss to Cleveland on Christmas Eve 2023.

Chicago turned to Keenum because Williams was sidelined by a right hamstring injury. According to the Associated Press report carried by the Guardian, Tyson Bagent backed up Keenum after clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol on Sunday. The accounts of Monday’s game do not establish how long Williams will be unavailable or who will start Chicago’s next game.

The rushing score came with 7:19 remaining, after a 13-play drive that used more than eight minutes, according to the Associated Press. Keenum crossed from one yard out. The lengthy possession left Philadelphia less time to respond and put the Bears’ fourth-quarter lead beyond the single touchdown the Eagles had managed all night.

After the game, Keenum told the Associated Press: ‘I really don’t have any words, there’s so much emotion.’ He called the start ‘an incredible opportunity’ and spoke about enjoying the game with his children in the stands. The Bears are the eighth NFL franchise of his 14-season career, according to the AP report.

Philadelphia’s chances slip away

The Eagles’ only touchdown came on a Jalen Hurts quarterback sneak as the first half ended, bringing them within 10–7. Earlier, Hurts had briefly left for a concussion check after a late hit near the sideline. Andy Dalton replaced him for that stretch and threw an interception to rookie Dillon Thieneman in the end zone. Hurts returned and played the rest of the game.

That interception was one of Philadelphia’s three turnovers. NFL.com identified the others as a Tank Bigsby fumble and a Hurts interception caught by T.J. Edwards. Chicago recorded no turnover of its own, according to the AP account. The failed possessions helped the Bears protect their lead even while the score was close at halftime.

Philadelphia could not carry its late first-half touchdown into the second. NBC Sports reported that the Eagles gained 62 yards after halftime and opened the third quarter with three consecutive possessions without a first down. Hurts finished 16 of 25 for 153 passing yards and an interception. Saquon Barkley ran 15 times for 82 yards, but the Eagles added no further points.

NBC Sports also reported that Chicago outgained Philadelphia 375 yards to 248 and held possession for 36 minutes and 53 seconds. Philadelphia never led. Its 10 penalties, two conversions in nine third-down attempts and three turnovers added to the difficulty of chasing the Bears once Keenum and the offense stretched the lead.