The Eagles' offense was expected to be a work in progress under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. The thinking went that the defense could serve as the team's bedrock while the other side of the ball found its way.
With the star-studded cast entering Year 3 under one of the greats in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, this group seemed to have top-five defense written all over it.
It was jarring to watch a projected juggernaut get shredded in real time Monday night, as 38-year-old third-string quarterback Case Keenum completed 71 percent of his passes, threw two touchdowns and ran for another in his first start in 1,009 days, leading the Bears to a 27-7 rout over Philadelphia.
"It just can't happen," Eagles edge Jonathan Greenard said. "We know what the standard is, we know we've got to be better, and we will be better, so I'm not worried."
There is plenty of season left to turn the tide, but with a string of offensive powers coming up, starting with the Los Angeles Rams Sunday (1 pm ET, Fox), this defense finds itself at an early inflection point.
Every unit has a bad day at the office, and Bears coach Ben Johnson has left many a defense soul-searching after an encounter. But the overall numbers through three weeks are less than encouraging.