Dallas Cowboys vs Chicago Bears: Sport DFW Staff Predictions
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys host the Chicago Bears on Sunday evening hoping to get another notch in the win column. What are the writers predicting?
The Dallas Cowboys (1-1) will host the Chicago Bears (0-2) in what is sure to be a rambunctious Sunday night crowd. Dak Prescott collected his first win of his NFL career last week and looks to continue his brilliant rookie campaign.
For the first time in a long time, DFW is abuzz with excitement about the present and the future. Expect the normally benign home crowd to show their excitement audibly on Sunday night.
The Bears look hapless in a number of different ways and the Dallas Cowboys have every intention of righting their wrongs against their visitor from the Windy City. Expect the pass-rush to get back on track via effective stunting (and not blitzing). And expect the linebackers to play a bigger role in coverage.
The Cowboys will get their running game back on track with Zeke easily breaking the 100-yard mark. RBs will also be heavily involved in the passing attack and the Dallas Cowboys will win convincingly.
Reid Hanson Prediction: Cowboys 28 Bears 16
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Dink Kearney, Sport DFW
The Dallas Cowboys host the winless Chicago Bears in a Sunday Night game the Cowboys need to win. Since careless quarterback Jay Cutler is out with an injury, the Cowboys should be able to handle backup QB Brian Hoyer. Hoyer will be conservative with his passes and likely wont’ throw ball when wideout Alshon Jeffery is doubled team. I expect the Cowboys defense to jam the Bears receivers off the line and make Hoyer uncomfortable and putting pressure on the passing game.
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Since the Bears are last in the league in pass protection, expect the Cowboys front four to get sacks. Forcing Hoyer to beat you with his arm will be the key to victory.
The Bears running game is inconsistent at best.
I expect the Cowboys defense to control the Bears offense and for the Cowboys offense to thrive.
Dak Prescott will continue his outstanding play and throw his first NFL touchdown, and Ezekiel Elliott will rush for over 120 yards and a few scores as the Cowboys win an impressive game that can only boost their confidence moving forward.
Dink Kearney Prediction: Cowboys 31 Bears 14
Stephen Francis, Sport DFW
The Cowboys are coming off a very nice road win against Washington and will look to build on that momentum against a very banged up Chicago team. But they’ll do it with a roster that has some nicks and bruises of its own.
The difference is, rookie Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has shown a little something and has more potential to shine than Bears backup quarterback Brian Hoyer. Expect the Dallas defense to get to Hoyer a few times for sacks and bait him into an interception.
Offensively, the Cowboys still have plenty of talent around Dak. The key is for the offensive line to live up to preseason expectations and give rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott the lanes he needs.
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In the end, this will be a pretty tight contest throughout and Dallas will snap their eight game home losing streak with a 31-27 victory. And seriously, eight games? Come on, Cowboys fans, you’re better than this.
Stephen Francis Prediction: Cowboys 31 Bears 27