Dallas Cowboys Vs Chicago Bears – Odds & Trends
When: 8:20 PM ET, Thursday, December 5, 2019
Where: Solider Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV: FOX/NFL Network
Point Spread: Chicago Bears +3.5
OVER / UNDER Game Total: 43.5
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 6-6
Road Record: 3-3
ATS: 7-5
Chicago Bears
Record: 6-6
Home Record: 3-3
ATS: 3-9
Dallas Cowboys Vs Chicago Bears Game Day Preview
Imagine Bears fans and Cowboys fans trying to explain to each other which team’s season has been more exasperating as they prepare for a prime-time battle between 6-6 teams. Bears fans would bemoan the shortcomings of an offense that, while slightly better lately, has been maddeningly underwhelming. Cowboys fans would bemoan the team’s struggles against teams with winning records and inconsistent efforts such as a road loss to the Jets and a home loss to the Bills on Thanksgiving. Statistically, the Cowboys have been excellent on offense and defense, but there’s nothing excellent about the team’s record. Thursday Night Football… welcome to NFL Week 14!
Cowboys
The potential (if not likely) absence of Prince Amukamara, who’s doubtful for Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury, comes at a concerning time for the Bears. Chuck Pagano’s scheme, like Vic Fangio’s before, doesn’t have its cornerbacks travel with receivers, trusting one guy (Amukamara) to play press and another (Kyle Fuller) to thrive in off coverage. That could mean on Thursday the Cowboys are able to get star wideout Amari Cooper away from Fuller and matched up against second-year undrafted rookie Kevin Toliver II.
Cooper already is a matchup nightmare who has 64 catches for 971 yards with seven touchdowns this year. It’s unlikely the Bears can stop Cooper, but containing him — meaning limiting his explosive plays and yards after the catch — will be critical. If Cooper gets loose, the Cowboys will have no problem marching the ball downfield against a good Bears defense.
And even if the Bears are able to get Fuller on Cooper quite a bit, Michael Gallup is a strong No. 2 receiver, checking in with 49 catches for 796 yards this year. Toliver will need to play well and/or Pagano will need to figure out a way to consistently get him help.
Bears
It didn’t feel like a coincidence that Trubisky’s best game of 2019 came in Detroit when his offensive line consistently gave him clean pockets and time to go through his progressions, make good decisions and step into throws.
The Cowboys’ front is much better than Detroit’s. While edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is having a down year by his standards (five sacks), he’s still a menacing threat who needs to be contained. Opposite him is a resurgent Robert Quinn, whose 9 1/2 sacks lead Dallas. And Michael Bennett and Maliek Collins are an effective interior duo, with seven sacks despite Bennett being a midseason acquisition from the Patriots.
Thursday night will be a critical test for the Bears’ offensive line. Pass it and this offense will have a good chance of finding success against a solid defense. Fail it and the Bears’ already-slim playoff hopes will disappear.
Cowboys & Bears Facts
1. Dallas is riding a two-game winning streak versus Chicago. The Cowboys posted a 31-17 home win in 2016 and bashed the Bears 41-28 at Soldier Field in 2014.
2. 68% of the users playing DALVsCHI on StatementGames have incorporated “Dallas Cowboys Will WIN By OVER 3.5 PTS” into their picks.
3. Ezekiel Elliot has struggled of late. In the last four games, his high-water mark rushing total has been just 86 yards.
Sources = Chicago Tribune, NBCSports,
Dallas Cowboys Vs Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Picks
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Game Pick – Dallas Cowboys 17 Chicago Bears 20
10 PT Pick = Jason Witten UNDER 44.5 Receiving Yards
9 PT Pick = Ezekiel Elliott UNDER 100.5 Rushing Yards
8 PT Pick = Dallas Cowboys Will NOT WIN By OVER 3.5 PTS
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