The Ringer's Philly Special Eagles-Bears Predictions and Mailbag With Zach Berman!
10 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
Zach Berman, a staff writer at The Athletic and NFL reporter, joins to discuss the Eagles' recent loss and their crucial match against the Bears. They tackle injury updates, speculate on safety options, and dissect the struggling offense under Kevin Patullo's management. Zach shares insights on Saquon Barkley's performance linked to blocking issues and debates whether Jalen Hurts should run more. The conversation unfolds with predictions for the game, and a fun mailbag segment addresses quirky fan questions and everyday dilemmas.
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Saquon Decline Tied To Blocking, Not Speed
- Saquon Barkley's decline stems more from fewer explosive runs and worse run blocking than a drop in speed.
- Tracking shows similar top speeds year-to-year but far fewer runs over 20 yards and lower yards-before-contact.
Preserve Hurts' Runs For Playoffs
- Hold Jalen Hurts' rushing workload in reserve for the playoffs unless games force usage.
- Use his running as a targeted tool in must-win situations to preserve him healthy for the postseason.
A Win Could Calm The Narrative
- A comfortable win over the Bears would quiet critics and frame the offense as fixed despite lingering doubts.
- The schedule after the Bears largely features defenses ranked poorly by DVOA, offering a chance to build momentum.
