LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Versatile Eagles running back Brian Westbrook won’t play Sunday night against the Bears after suffering two concussions in three weeks. But Philadelphia’s offense is still dangerous thanks to the arm and legs of veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb. 

Hunter Hillenmeyer sacks Donovan McNabb in a 24-20 win over the Eagles last season at Soldier Field.

A five-time Pro Bowler, McNabb has led the Eagles to five NFC East championships, five NFC title games and one Super Bowl.

“I don’t think there’s many guys you can compare to what Donovan McNabb has done,” said coach Lovie Smith. “A lot of times he’s either a runner or a passer. He’s the entire package. He can do it all. We know every week, every time you play him, you have to cover everything. We have played him a few times. It will be a big challenge for our group.”

This season McNabb has completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,685 yards with 12 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 95.1 passer rating that ranks ninth in the NFL. In last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, the Chicago native connected on 35 of 55 passes for 450 yards with 2 TDs, 1 interception and a 93.8 passer rating.

“I don’t understand how people are up and down on him,” said defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. “In my view, he’s a top three quarterback in the league. He’s a winner. He’s a leader. He’s the kind of guy that you wouldn’t mind having on your team. Last week he passed for 450 yards. That’s a lot of yards. He’s just that capable. 

"It doesn’t matter who he has playing with him. Whatever receivers he has, every year he just goes out there and wins. When you look up in the playoffs, he’s always in it. To me, he’s one of the best in the league.”

Even without Westbrook, McNabb has formidable weapons at his disposal. Speedy receiver DeSean Jackson has caught 34 passes for a team-high 621 yards and 4 TDs. Tight end Brent Celek leads the Eagles with 46 receptions for 533 yards and 5 TDs. And rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin has added 31 catches for 413 yards and 4 TDs.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for us,” said cornerback Zackary Bowman. “They’ve got some good receivers in Jackson, Maclin and [Jason] Avant too, and their tight end is their leading receiver.”

McNabb is 4-2 as a starter against the Bears. He won his first four games versus his hometown team, including a playoff victory in 2001, but has lost two straight meetings in 2007 and 2008.

In his six games against the Bears, McNabb has passed for 207, 262, 209, 237, 226 and 262 yards with a total of 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 14 sacks and a 79.4 passer rating. After rushing for 108 yards and 2 TDs on 22 attempts in the first three meetings, he’s had five carries for no yards in the last three contests.

“We matched up pretty well against them the last couple times we played them,” Hillenmeyer said. “Hopefully some of those things that worked in the past will continue to work.

“Obviously Donovan is a guy who can make a lot of plays. You’ve got to get him moving his feet, but you also don’t want him moving around too long because he makes a lot of his best plays when he does sort of buy himself time by moving around in the pocket.”