The Chicago Bears now stand at 0-2 after losing to the Eagles on Monday night, 29-14, and some fans might feel like it’s worse than that. Both of their first two regular-season matchups ended by them looking like the same old Bears. To top it all off, starting quarterback Jay Cutler (hand) and key linebacker Lamarr Houston (leg) both got injured in the middle of the Week 2 game. Their status for Week 3 is up in the air.
Whether it’s Cutler or his backup Brian Hoyer, the offense hopes that Alshon Jeffery can continue providing sparks. The one-time Pro Bowler is currently leading the team in receptions (9), receiving yards (201), and highlight plays. Running back Jeremy Langford has only made minimal impact and must be more aggressive and smarter in using his abilities and blockers. Although he has 2 rushing touchdowns this season, his last 28 rushing attempts only amounted to 85 yards.
On defense, it’s a bit alarming that the Bears are not looking like a team coached by John Fox, despite this season already being his second year with the team. This unit will face another rookie quarterback in Dallas’s Dak Prescott, so it will be great to see how well they can respond from last game’s failure to capitalize on an inexperienced play-caller (Eagles’ Carson Wentz).
With Houston likely inactive, the pressure will mainly be on Jerrell Freeman, Mitch Unrein, off-season acquisition Danny Trevathan, and the entire secondary to contain what looks to be a dangerous Cowboys offense.
The Bears are 3-2 straight-up and against the spread in their last 5 road games.
The poise shown by rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has been above average. In the season-opening 20-19 loss to the New York Giants, the Mississipi State product never drew a sack and almost drove his team within field goal range to win the game. (Cowboys fans are still looking at you, Terrance Williams!)
The QB’s composure remained intact versus the Washington Redskins in Week 2’s 27-23 victory, as he passed for a respectable 292 yards while rushing for a touchdown. It’s that type of focus that needs to be kept against the visiting Chicago Bears.
Expect the Cowboys’ offense to provide a balanced attack. Star receiver Dez Bryant will likely be targeted at least a dozen times again to continue countering his lowly output in Week 1 (1 reception, 8 yards). The same goes for the ground game, as the ‘Boys will look to build the confidence of rookie back and red-zone mack truck Ezekiel Elliot, whose two rushing TDs came after bulldozing his way through defenders.
Jason Witten, a proven safety blanket for his QBs, can also have a solid game. Among active players, the 13-year veteran is second in career receptions (1,032, tied with Larry Fitzgerald) and sixth in career receiving yards (11,332).
In terms of offense, it is clear that America’s Team has no shortage in tools. As for the defense, the Cowboys’ defensive line and secondary should feel good on their chances against sack-and-interception magnets Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer.
Dallas did not produce a win in their last five home games (0-3-2 ATS), but they are to be trusted against the erratic Chicago Bears.
