Case Keenum made a dramatic comeback to the NFL spotlight, delivering two touchdown passes in his first start in nearly three years and helping the Chicago Bears dominate the Philadelphia Eagles with a 27‑7 win on Monday night. The veteran quarterback stepped in for the injured Caleb Williams and proved his worth by completing 24 of 34 attempts for a total of 247 yards. In addition to his aerial success, Keenum added a rushing touchdown—the first he had recorded on the ground since 2019—by diving into the end zone from one yard out with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That score capped a methodical 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that ate up the clock and sealed the victory.
Keenum’s appearance on the field marked his first snap since he started for the Houston Texans in a 36‑22 defeat to Cleveland in December 2023. Reflecting on the opportunity, he said, "To get a shot again like this? You dream of it.
That's why I'm still here doing this when I get knocked down. I got knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, coming to work, just keep bouncing back." His resilience resonated with Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who praised Keenum’s deep knowledge of the playbook: "He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognise coverage. He knows why we're calling the play and what we're looking for, and if we're not getting that he's accelerating through it really quickly.
That's what you get when you're 15‑plus years playing that position in this league." The Bears’ offense was further bolstered by wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who hauled in six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Chicago, now standing at 2‑1 on the season after a painful 9‑3 loss to Minnesota, rebounded strongly thanks to the balanced attack.
The Eagles, also 2‑1, struggled with ball security, turning it over three times and failing to record a defensive takeaway for the third straight game—a concerning trend early in the campaign. Philadelphia’s quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards but threw an interception that contributed to the mounting pressure on the Eagles.
Running back Saquon Barkley managed 82 rushing yards on 15 carries, but the offensive output was insufficient to keep pace with the Bears’ disciplined performance. After the loss, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni took responsibility, stating, "We all have to own that loss right there.
I don't think anybody coached well. I don't think anyone played well. It was a true team loss. And when it's a true team loss, you know I have to look at myself first." Statistically, the game unfolded as follows: - Passing: Case Keenum, 24/34, 247 yards, 2 TDs - Rushing: D'Andre Swift, 20 carries, 84 yards - Receiving: Kalim Raymond, 6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD - Passing: Jalen Hurts, 16/25, 153 yards, 1 INT - Rushing: Saquon Barkley, 15 carries, 82 yards - Receiving: DeVonta Smith, 6 receptions, 65 yards Keenum’s first drive ended with a clever shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight‑yard touchdown, and later in the second half he connected with Raymond on a soaring 41‑yard strike that extended the lead.
The Eagles attempted a comeback, with Hurts leading a deep incursion into Chicago territory in the second quarter before a hard hit from linebacker D’Marco Jackson forced him to the sideline for a concussion evaluation. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton entered the game but was intercepted by rookie defender Dillon Thieneman in the end‑zone just before halftime.
After the interception, Hurts expressed frustration over the medical protocol, saying, "I was just waiting for the thumbs up. I felt fine, we already checked it. I don't know the extent of the process. Obviously, I wish we could have expedited things.
I know I felt fine." Despite the setback, Hurts managed a quarterback sneak for a touchdown as the first half expired, but the Bears seized control of the remaining two quarters. Defensively, Chicago’s linebacker TJ Edwards recorded a key interception late in the third quarter, halting an Eagles drive and cementing the Bears’ dominance. The Bears accumulated 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards, while the Eagles struggled to generate momentum.
For context, Chicago’s previous visit to Philadelphia the year before resulted in a 24‑15 win, with the Bears amassing 28 first downs and 281 rushing yards. The game not only highlighted Keenum’s perseverance but also underscored the importance of depth and preparedness in the NFL. With Caleb Williams sidelined by a right hamstring injury and backup Tyson Bagent cleared from concussion protocol, the Bears demonstrated that veteran leadership can bridge the gap when starters are unavailable.
Keenum’s performance will likely spark discussions about his role moving forward, as the Bears aim to build on this momentum and contend for a playoff spot. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every minute of the playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. For those seeking flexible viewing options, Sky Sports offers streaming packages with no contract commitments through its NOW platform, ensuring that supporters can stay connected to the action wherever they are.