Frequently Asked Questions: Bears vs Eagles Rivalry

The Chicago Bears lead the all-time regular season series against the Philadelphia Eagles with a record of 30-25-1 through the 2023 season. This gives Chicago a winning percentage of 54.5% across 56 regular season meetings. When including playoff games, the Eagles hold a 2-1 advantage in postseason matchups, with victories in the 2018 Wild Card round (16-15) and the 1979 Wild Card round, while the Bears won the 1988 NFC Divisional playoff game 20-12 in the famous Fog Bowl. The overall series including playoffs stands at 30-27-1 in favor of Chicago, making this one of the more competitive inter-conference rivalries in NFL history. The series has shifted back and forth over the decades, with the Eagles dominating from 1999-2013 with 10 consecutive wins, while the Bears held advantages in earlier eras, particularly the 1930s and 1940s when they won 10 of 15 meetings.

The Fog Bowl refers to the December 31, 1988 NFC Divisional playoff game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field, where dense fog rolled in from Lake Michigan during the second quarter, reducing visibility to 10-20 yards for much of the game. Players, coaches, and the 65,534 fans in attendance could barely see the action, and television viewers at home had an equally obscured view. The Bears won 20-12 behind running back Neal Anderson's 27 carries for 82 yards. The game is significant because it remains one of the most unusual weather-affected playoff games in NFL history, and it advanced the Bears to the NFC Championship Game. The fog was so thick that NBC broadcaster Dick Enberg described it as 'impossible to see,' and the network relied heavily on replays to show viewers what had actually happened on each play. This game has become part of NFL lore and is frequently referenced when discussing weather's impact on football games.

The Double Doink occurred on January 6, 2019, during the Wild Card playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. With the Bears trailing 16-15 and 10 seconds remaining, kicker Cody Parkey attempted a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game and advanced Chicago to the Divisional Round. The kick hit the left upright, then bounced off the crossbar, and fell back onto the field incomplete, giving Philadelphia the victory. The play became instantly infamous and was replayed countless times on sports media. Post-game analysis using enhanced video revealed that Eagles defensive lineman Treyvon Hester had slightly tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage, though this went unnoticed in real-time. For Parkey, it was his fourth upright hit of the season. The Bears had finished 12-4 in the regular season and were considered Super Bowl contenders, making the loss particularly devastating for Chicago fans. The term 'Double Doink' immediately entered football vernacular and remains one of the most memorable playoff moments of the 2010s.

From 2016 to 2023, the Bears and Eagles have played six times with Philadelphia holding a 4-2 advantage during this period. The Eagles won in 2016 (29-14), 2019 regular season (22-14), 2019 playoffs (16-15), and 2021 (20-9), while the Bears won in 2017 (31-3) and 2019 (54-11). Home field has been significant, with the home team winning five of these six games, the only exception being the 2019 playoff game in Chicago. Scoring has averaged 23.8 points per game for Philadelphia and 21.2 for Chicago during this span. The Eagles' success has coincided with their offensive evolution under coaches Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni, emphasizing RPO concepts and mobile quarterback play with Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts. The Bears have struggled with quarterback consistency during this period, cycling through Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton, and Justin Fields. The defensive nature of these recent games has been less pronounced than historical matchups, reflecting modern NFL offensive trends.

Several players have delivered exceptional individual performances in Bears-Eagles games. Walter Payton rushed for 134 yards on November 4, 1979, in a 17-14 Bears victory, showcasing his Hall of Fame abilities. Donovan McNabb's December 22, 2002 performance stands out, where he threw for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 19-13 overtime Eagles victory. Jay Cutler threw for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns on September 19, 2010, leading Chicago to a 31-26 win. On the defensive side, Brian Urlacher recorded 14 tackles and 2 sacks in the 2001 matchup, demonstrating why he was one of the era's premier linebackers. More recently, Nick Foles threw for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 2019 Wild Card playoff victory despite playing as a backup who had taken over mid-season. Running back LeSean McCoy rushed for 133 yards on December 22, 2013, though the Eagles lost 54-11 in one of their worst defeats of the decade. These performances highlight how individual excellence can shape the outcome of this rivalry regardless of overall team strength.

Weather conditions at Soldier Field have historically played a significant role in Bears-Eagles matchups, particularly in late-season games. Chicago's lakefront location creates unpredictable conditions, with wind, cold, and occasionally fog affecting play. The 1988 Fog Bowl is the most extreme example, but other games have featured challenging conditions. The January 2019 playoff game was played in 29-degree temperatures with wind chills around 15 degrees, conditions that favored Chicago's ground game, though they ultimately lost. Statistical analysis shows that when games are played in Chicago during November, December, or January with temperatures below 35 degrees, the Bears have won 5 of 7 such matchups against Philadelphia. The Eagles, based in a milder climate, have historically struggled with late-season road games in harsh weather. However, modern indoor practice facilities and improved cold-weather gear have somewhat mitigated these advantages. Passing efficiency drops an average of 8.4 passer rating points in games played below 32 degrees at Soldier Field compared to games played in temperatures above 50 degrees, affecting both teams but potentially disadvantaging visiting teams less acclimated to such conditions.