It may not have gone as expected.

But the Eagles held on to defeat the Bears 25-20 on Sunday in Chicago. The Eagles improve to 13-1, the best record in the league, and has a chance to clinch the top-seed in the NFC East and the division championship when it plays the Cowboys on Christmas Eve in an anticipated matchup.

Dallas losing Sunday on an interception returned for a touchdown was something special, especially after an Eagles win. We have our old buddy Doug Pederson to thank for that. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Dallas has a good defense, and it will be a battle. 

Luckily, the Eagles can win battles— they are 6-0 in one-possession games this season. The Eagles keep proving they can win. 

On Sunday, the Eagles did not score in the first quarter, but the defense did not allow any points, either. Philly went down 6-3 in the second quarter, but six minutes later took a 10-6 lead and never looked back.

Jalen Hurts rushed for three touchdowns, which tied a career high. Hurts has 13 rushing touchdowns on the season, one short of the NFL record for a quarterback.

Cam Newton holds that record now.

It will be Hurts’ on Christmas Eve.

Hurts threw for 315 yards, completing 22 of 37 passes with two interceptions. Hurts hasn’t thrown many INTs this season, so those weren’t too worrisome. Hurts still showed he can do damage with his arms and legs.

But along with those interceptions, Miles Sanders’ had a fumble. Again, he has been good with the ball this season, so hopefully that was just a one-time thing.

Speaking of Sanders— why wasn’t he used a lot? He finished with 11 carries (his third lowest total of the season) for 42 yards (his second lowest total). He wasn’t really in the game plan, and Hurts had 17 carries, one he took a nasty hit on. That cannot continue. 

On a positive note, huge games from A.J. Brown (nine catches for 171 yards) and DeVonta Smith (five for 126). It was great to see the wide receivers make some great catches. That duo will be needed down the stretch.

Defensively, the Eagles allowed Justin Fields to rush for 95 yards, reaching exactly 1,000 on the year. Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson are the only other two QBs to rush for 1,000 or more in a single-season. Still, Fields finishing with some big runs was expected. The main takeaway is the Eagles allowed just 248 total yards. Again, good teams find ways to win. The Eagles did Sunday, the Cowboys did not. Was that because of the team or Micah Parsons? Maybe someone can ask Parsons that Saturday. 

Anyway, the Bears lost their seventh straight game — their worst skid since losing eight straight in 2002 — and fell to 3-11. 

Now, it’s on to Dallas.

The last two weeks, ESPN has ranked them higher than the Eagles in power rankings. National outlets, like the latter, had Dallas with better odds to reach (and win) the Super Bowl. Parsons, and others, question Hurts’ MVP candidacy. 

The disrespect for the NFL-leading Eagles is real. 

IF the Eagles lose Christmas Eve, it does not take away from their great season. It won’t change the fact they are a good team. But it would be great to prove the doubters wrong (again)! And the Eagles have a great opportunity to do so Saturday.