Black Friday Shocker: Bears Upset Eagles in Philly Thriller
The highly anticipated Black Friday showdown between two NFC division leaders, the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, delivered a surprising outcome as the Bears secured a commanding victory at Lincoln Financial Field. Both teams entered the Week 13 contest on Friday, November 28, 2025, with identical 8-3 records, but it was Chicago that dictated the pace, exposing Philadelphia’s recent vulnerabilities and extending their own impressive winning streak.
Bears Dominate Early with Ground Game and Third-Down Efficiency
From the outset, the Chicago Bears established a physical presence, particularly on the ground. Their rushing attack, spearheaded by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, proved unstoppable. In the first half alone, Chicago amassed 142 rushing yards and a touchdown, with Swift punching in a 3-yard score to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead. The dominance continued into the second quarter, where Monangai added a 4-yard touchdown run, extending Chicago’s lead to 17-9. Remarkably, both Swift and Monangai surpassed 100 rushing yards individually, a feat not achieved by two Bears running backs in a single game since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey in 1985. This also marked the first time since 1960 that two visiting players each rushed for over 100 yards against the Eagles.
A key factor in Chicago’s early control was their exceptional performance on third downs, converting seven of their ten opportunities in the first half. This sustained offensive pressure allowed the Bears to string together multiple long drives, including three consecutive 10-plus play possessions to start the game.
Eagles’ Offense Stumbles, Fans Express Frustration
In stark contrast, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense appeared out of sync and struggled to find any rhythm. Coming off a disheartening Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys where they blew a 21-point lead, the Eagles’ offensive woes continued. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the unit converted just one of their five third-down attempts in the first half, tallying their fewest first downs in a half since Week 17 of the 2022 season.
Missed opportunities plagued Philadelphia, most notably when Jalen Hurts overthrew a wide-open DeVonta Smith on a crucial third down, forcing the Eagles to settle for a 44-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, making the score 7-3. The frustration among the home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field was palpable, with loud boos echoing through the stadium as the offense failed to sustain drives. Even head coach Nick Sirianni was visibly agitated by the team’s performance.
The Eagles’ struggles were compounded by critical turnovers. Jalen Hurts was intercepted by Bears safety Kevin Byard III, marking Byard’s sixth interception of the season. Later, on a much-maligned "Tush Push" attempt, Hurts was stripped of the ball by Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, resulting in a crucial fumble recovery for Chicago.
Second Half Sees Bears Pull Away
Despite a brief resurgence from the Eagles, the Bears maintained their control. Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a 33-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-9, though Jake Elliott missed the extra point. Brown was a bright spot for Philadelphia, finishing with nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. However, Chicago quickly responded. Caleb Williams delivered a perfectly layered 28-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet, extending the Bears’ lead to 24-9.
The Eagles’ defense did manage a takeaway when linebacker Jalyx Hunt tipped and intercepted a Caleb Williams pass, but the subsequent offensive drive ended in the costly "Tush Push" fumble.
Game Context and Conditions
The Black Friday game was played under cool and dry conditions, with temperatures in the low-40s dropping into the upper-30s, and some wind affecting play. Philadelphia also implemented a new traffic management plan to ease post-game congestion around Lincoln Financial Field.
For the Eagles, this loss adds to a challenging season that has seen them make several key roster moves, including acquiring wide receiver John Metchie III (digitaltrendstoday.com), defensive end Za’Darius Smith (digitaltrendstoday.com), and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (digitaltrendstoday.com). Their defense, despite these additions, has shown inconsistencies, and their offense has struggled with explosive plays, holding a -13 differential on the season. The Bears, meanwhile, continue to defy expectations, building on a season where they’ve led the league in takeaways and faced one of the easiest schedules.
This pivotal Black Friday matchup will undoubtedly have significant implications for the NFC playoff picture as both teams navigate the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
