There will be plenty to keep an eye on when the [Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/) and Chicago Bears meet on Black Friday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Here are five overarching thoughts going into the Eagles’ Week 13 matchup.
**Risk vs. reward:** The Birds have emphasized not turning the ball over, and sometimes that risk-averse mentality has been at their peril. But the Eagles have an NFL-low six turnovers, which is something to be commended. The Bears, meanwhile, have the most takeaways (24) in the league. So something has to give. Will Nick Sirianni, Kevin Patullo and Co. come out of (and stay out of) their shell against Chicago’s opportunistic defense? They might need to.
**Vic vs. Ben:** Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ 67-year-old defensive coordinator, has been doing this for a while; his first job in the NFL was with the Saints in 1986, the same year Bears head coach and offensive play-caller Ben Johnson was born. But Johnson, who first called plays as Detroit’s OC from 2022-24 and was hired by Chicago this offseason, has a sterling reputation for creativity. It ought to be a fascinating chess match between the two.
**Dallas game?:** Dallas Goedert was on a heater before the bye week. The tight end’s seven touchdowns were tied for the NFL lead with Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. But in the three games since the bye, Goedert has been relatively quiet (87 total yards, zero TDs). Perhaps that changes against Chicago, which has allowed 72 receptions to tight ends this season, the fifth-most in the league. If DeVonta Smith can’t go, Goedert will be needed.
**RB on a run:** D’Andre Swift will be one of several former Eagles making their return to Lincoln Financial Field. But it’s another running back with area ties who has my attention. Kyle Monangai, the seventh-round rookie out of Rutgers and a New Jersey native, has been a red-zone weapon. The Scarlet Knights’ former bell-cow back has a red-zone touchdown in each of the last three games. Watch out for No. 25 when the Bears get in close.
**Level up:** The Bears are 8-3. That’s nothing to scoff at. But let’s consider who they’ve beaten: the Cowboys, Raiders, Commanders, Saints, Bengals, Giants, Vikings and Steelers. Those teams are a combined 27-61-1 entering Week 13. The only team with a winning record? The Steelers at 6-5.
Chicago won its eight games by a combined 45 points. The Bears have been living on a razor’s edge all year, barely beating poor competition. Friday will be their biggest test so far, and the Eagles have to expect Chicago’s best shot.