Chicago (United States) (AFP) – Chicago Bears third-string quarterback Case Keenum dealt the Philadelphia Eagles their first defeat of the season, rolling back the years with two passing touchdowns and a dive into the end zone for a 27-7 win Monday. The 38-year-old, starting his first NFL game since Christmas Eve 2023 after franchise quarterback Caleb Williams dislocated his elbow, made 24-of-34 passes for 247 yards on a comfortable night against the 2025 Super Bowl champions.
A nomadic veteran of eight NFL sides since he went undrafted in 2012, Keenum only took the field after Williams’ backup Tyson Bagent also missed training all week due to concussion protocols. He outplayed opposing number Jalen Hurts, who converted a trademark Eagles “tush push” on the stroke of half-time but struggled to otherwise influence the game, managing 153 passing yards with an interception and two sacks.
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“There’s just so much emotion, so much that went into this week,” said Keenum. “You got to give the Eagles credit — a heck of a team coming in here — but golly we responded, and it was so much fun.”
Keenum’s first drive resulted in a touchdown. He sent a shovel pass to Luther Burden III, who was pushed the final five yards into the end zone by Chicago’s offensive line. The quarterback was unlucky not to score another on the Bears’ next drive. Keenum passed to Colston Loveland, who dived for a touchdown that was given by the on-field officials but ruled out on review. Keenum then sent a dart to Rome Odunze, who stepped out of bounds as he juggled a simple catch.
At the other end, Hurts was smashed off the field by D’Marco Jackson, who received a penalty for unnecessary roughness. Hurts was temporarily replaced by Philadelphia’s backup QB Andy Dalton during a concussion check, and could only watch from the medical tent as the Eagles’ attempt to convert 1st & goal resulted in a pick. But another chance to score with a “tush push” came in the final second of the half, and this time Hurts was on the field to make it 10-7 at the break.
That was as good as it got for Philadelphia. While the Eagles defense stifled Chicago’s running game, Keenum sent a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide-open receiver Kalif Raymond. The veteran capped his improbable night with a quarterback sneak on 3rd & goal, becoming the oldest Bears player to score a rushing touchdown, and handing the Eagles their heaviest defeat since 2023.
© 2024 AFP
