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After watching running back D'Andre Swift power in the game’s first touchdown on Friday, former Philadelphia Eagles standout LeSean McCoy praised Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. McCoy credited Johnson’s creativity in the ground game as Chicago struck first against Philadelphia.
Johnson is leading Chicago in his first season as an NFL coach. The former running shared his reaction on X Friday as the game progressed to the second quarter.
“OMG Ben Johnson got some of the best running schemes ever,” McCoy tweeted on Friday.
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D'Andre Swift finished off an early possession with a short-yardage score that put Chicago in control. The Bears leaned on a physical rushing sequence to move downfield and punch the ball across the goal line behind a surge from the offensive line.
D'Andre Swift sparks Bears' ground game to open scoring
D'Andre Swift led the drive with several chunk runs that helped the Bears push deep into Philadelphia territory before the touchdown. Rookie back Kyle Monangai contributed steady gains of his own, giving Chicago a balanced one-two punch that kept the Eagles' defense retreating.
Ben Johnson leaned heavily on his ground approach, mixing gap concepts and motion elements to create angles at the line of scrimmage. Swift followed tight end Cole Kmet, sealing the edge on the decisive scoring snap, and kicker Cairo Santos tacked on the extra point.
Chicago had moved the ball effectively on the game’s first possession as well, but a fourth-down rushing attempt was overturned after review, leaving the Bears empty-handed on their first chance. The coaching staff chose to stay aggressive rather than attempt a long field goal in swirling wind conditions that challenged both teams.
The matchup carried postseason implications, with Chicago and Philadelphia both entering play tied near the top of the NFC standings.
Philadelphia stalled immediately on its opening drive. Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for an early first down. The possession ended abruptly when the quarterback was forced to throw the ball away under pressure to avoid a sack, sending out the punt unit.
The game also marked D'Andre Swift’s first appearance back in Philadelphia since departing the Eagles in free agency after one season.
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