After an explosive performance against the New York Giants in Week 2, the Dallas Cowboys could be even better offensively in Week 3. The Chicago Bears are coming to town one week after coughing up 52 points to the Detroit Lions, and there are several players that could take advantage of a defensive unit that had allowed the most points in the NFL (79) after two games.
One of those players could be wide receiver KaVontae Turpin. The fourth-year receiver is coming off a quiet stretch to open the year with six catches for 65 yards over the first two games. But Sunday’s matchup could give him the boost he needed after ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Kyler Gordon has been one of several Bears cornerbacks that was ruled out on Friday’s injury report.
KaVontae Turpin’s Breakout Game Could Come in Week 3 vs. Bears
Gordon isn’t the only cornerback who will be watching Sunday’s game from the sidelines. Cronin added that Jaylon Johnson will also miss Sunday’s contest, and while that helps top receiver CeeDee Lamb, it could present an opportunity for Turpin to do some damage in the slot.
Cowboys fans know Turpin for his ability as a returner, which helped him earn a First-Team All-Pro nod last season. But he also performed well when running out of the slot with a team-high 2.20 yards per route run, according to Pro Football Focus. Turpin has continued to thrive with 1.74 yards in the slot this season, and it might be a sneaky way to take advantage of Chicago’s defense.
Normally, Gordon would be the cornerback to cover Turpin out of the slot. But he has yet to play this year due to a hamstring injury. It’s a tough development for the Bears as Gordon allowed just 1.30 yards per coverage snap in the slot last season and 0.99 yards per coverage snap in 2023.
Losing a solid defender anywhere will sting, but that’s especially true considering how the Bears have fared in the slot this season. Nick McCloud has filled in for Gordon with 32 coverage snaps, but he’s allowed six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. If the perfect 158.3 passer rating wasn’t enough evidence, McCloud also hasn’t been near his man, allowing 53 of his 92 yards to come after the catch.
A receiver that ran a 4.31-second time in the 40-yard dash during his Pro Day in 2019, Turpin has the speed to take advantage of his lead-footed matchup on Sunday. If the Cowboys can find a way to turn him loose, they’ll have a great chance of having another great offensive performance on the way to climbing above .500 for the first time this season.