Have the Eagles underachieved in their first two games?

By most accounts, it has been an adequate showing. Or, maybe, this is luck working in the Eagles favor.

The Birds are only one of five teams in NFL history that have started 2-0 and not forced a turnover, and only one of two 2-0 teams (Giants other) who had forced zero turnovers with three or fewer sacks (Eagles have three). They also missed 12 tackles last week.

Many football prognosticators and experts have been disappointed in the Eagles showing during their first two games. They won their first two games by a total of six points over two teams they were expected to blow out.

Yet, the Vegas line against the Titans was seven ... hmmm.

Apparently, the football world doesn’t totally trust new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and his schemes. Still, a win is a win, and the Birds can begin to distance themselves from the rest of the NFC East (see below).

In their first two games, the Eagles offense has gotten the job done and responded in clutch situations. Jalen Hurts was six-of eight for 51 yards without any timeouts in their final winning drive against the Titans.

Going into Chicago Monday night, the Birds rank 13th in points and yards.

Their passing offense ranks 12th, and their rushing offense ranks 14th.

That’s what could be expected, and it can be a tick above average.

However, it looks like more good luck for the Eagles with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams unlikely to play due to a hamstring.

Bearly Possible ... Journeyman quarterback Case Keenum will be the Bears probable starter. He last started a game in December 2023 with Houston.

But the Bears have a potent running game with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monanagi, who have helped produce a league-best 212 yards and a 6.1 average per carry. The Eagles certainly remember them from last year’s 25-14 Black Friday defeat at the Linc.

However, the Bears defense is suspect and Hurts and a healthy Saquon Barkley — he should play — could have big games. They are ranked 23rd against the run, allowing 122 yards per game.

Through the air, the Bears have issued an average of 240 yards, ranking 24th overall.

If the Eagles avoid untimely turnovers, they should have their third victory.

Cool Winds ... Facing the Bears in a much-anticipated Monday Night matchup in the Windy City, the Eagles have a 17-30-1 lifetime record against them.

The Eagles have won four of the last five meetings in Chicago, the most notable being a January Wild Card game in 2019 when Nick Foles hit Golden Tate with the winning score in the final minute for a 16-15 victory.

During their last meeting in Chicago, the Eagles posted a 25-20 victory in 2022.

You Called It ... In a recent Times News Sports Facebook poll, the question was posed on whether the fans were still confident in the Eagles’ offense after they didn’t blow out the Titans.

Well, 76 percent of the pollsters believed the Birds’ offense is on the right track, while 15 percent thought otherwise. Nine percent weren’t sure.

Then There Were Two ... With Giants’ quarterback Jaxson Dart needing season-ending knee surgery, and Commanders’ signal caller Jayden Daniels battling an elbow injury, it has begun to materialize that the NFC East will come down to the Eagles and the Cowboys.

The Birds and ‘Boys will meet on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Linc, and then have a Thanksgiving Day tilt in Dallas.

Overall, the Eagles have a favorable schedule with their likely biggest tests being Jacksonville in London (Oct. 11), Seattle at home (Dec. 19), and in San Francisco (Jan. 3).

Dallas also has a favorable schedule with San Francisco in early November before it has back-to-back road games with Seattle and the Rams.

Leaving the Nest? ... The Giants will rely on Jameis Winston and probably will pick up another veteran. They have three-year-veteran Jake Haener on their roster.

The rumor mill already is swirling in high gear with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and Eagles’ backups Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton being mentioned as potential replacements. McKee continues to attract interest, and has a bigger upside than Dalton. He easily could attract a third- or fourth-round pick that Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman could add to his arsenal.

Falcons’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could be in the mix, as he signed only a $1.2 million pact with Atlanta after being released by Miami.

Joining The Nest ... After Dallas Goedert went down with a MCL injury, the Eagles brought back tight end Zach Ertz to the nest.

The 35-year-old had been a free agent after he caught 50 passes with four touchdowns for the Commanders last season. Ertz previously spent nine years with the Eagles, and he has 579 receptions, only 10 behind all-time leader Harold Carmichael.

Ertz provides the Eagles with a viable passing option, and should be activated Monday with only blocking tight end Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins on the roster.

The team is anxious to see what draft pick Eli Stowers can do. He has been battling a hamstring injury.

Worth the Watch ... Here are some games worth watching if you have a streaming service or NFL ticket:

Cincinnati (2-0) at Pittsburgh (1-1) - Bengals could be on a Super Bowl run, and Aaron Rodgers is still worth the watch, especially if he and his team are starting to slip.

New England (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1) - Are the Pats for real this season? Same can be said for Jacksonville.

Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo (2-0) - If Chargers are for real, they have to show it. Can Buffalo keep its torrid pace?

Baltimore (1-1) at Dallas (1-1) - Both teams need this one to verify them as a contender, Curious to see if Brazil’s background plays into it.

Las Vegas (2-0) at New Orleans (1-1) - I still like the Saints as a surprise team. Raiders are better and a good watch.

Rams (1-1) at Broncos (1-1) - Both teams had huge bounces backs, and this could be a Super Bowl preview.

Don’t Bother ... Here are some games (unless you’re a fan) to just catch the boxscore:

Panthers (1-1) at Browns (1-1) - Zzzzzzzzzzzz..

Texans (0-2) at Colts (0-2) - It’s C.J. Stroud against Daniel Jones. Enough said.

Seahawks (2-0) at Commanders (0-2) - Where have you gone, Billy Kilmer?

Have A Boilermaker ... Third-ranked Notre Dame (3-0), off a 27-10 victory over Michigan State, travels to Purdue (1-2) Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Peacock (NBC).

Freshman Joey O’Brien, a Philly suburb LaSalle Prep product, will start at one of the safety spots against Purdue. Three-year starter Brauntae Johhson continues to nurse a foot injury.

The Irish defense will be tested by Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne, who ranks second in FBS passing yards per game at 341. His 10.1 yards per attempt and 73.3% completion rate rank in the top 15 nationally. He has thrown for 1,024 yards with seven touchdowns against just one interception through three games.

The Boilermakers have averaged 39.3 points per game, and have consecutive losses to Wake Forest and UCLA.

Irish quarterback C.J. Carr has thrown for 726 years with six touchdowns and zero interceptions.

A year ago, in a lightning-interrupted game at Notre Dame, Browne went 21-of-34 passing for 250 yards in a 56-30 loss to the Irish.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will look back at a former player or team from our coverage area.

In 1966, Jim Thorpe, under head coach Angelo “Angie” Konstas posted an undefeated 8-0 season in which they outscored their opponents, 245-28. They recorded their first victory over Slatington in eight meetings.

Paul Skrimcovsky led the Olympians with 11 touchdowns and six running conversions.

Quarterback Steve Susko, kicker Mike Slivka, ends Dan Skrimcovsky, Rich Kelowitz and Ed Smith, center Fred Ohlsen and linemen John Cossman and Glen Andrews were key contributors.

Others in the mix were Joe Lazorick, Rich Karper, Duane Billig, Jack Dever, Lou Mueller, Jack Figura, George Pry, Ed Mandracia, Clint Eckley, Harry Gillespie, Jim Strubinger and Clair Strohl.

Prediction (Season record 3-0) ... Birds certainly will have battle, and their defense should be able to force a turnover or two against Keenum. Offense won’t be impressive, but it will be enough ... Eagles, 27-17.

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