Cowboys vs Bears Week 8: history, key players, projection

Cowboys vs Bears: “Under the Radar” Players

Dallas Cowboys: Sam Williams, DE

Chicago Bears: Any Chicago Bears wide receiver not named Darnell Mooney

Sam Williams is coming into his own lately. His game against the Lions put him firmly on the map as a bit of a “Micah Parson 2.0” type of edge rusher. Williams is flexible, strong, and blazing fast. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash skillset is vital this week. So is Parsons at 4.39. Fields ran a 4.43. The Cowboys having two defensive ends just as fast as he is a huge advantage.

The Bears’ offensive line is not good. It gives up a ton of pressure. Where they are saved is with Fields’ running ability. He can elude rushers and get first downs on his own as he did against the Patriots when he ran for 82 yards on 14 carries. Williams can provide the speed with a rusher to not let Fields get outside and track him down when he makes a run for it.

On defense, the Cowboys are going to put Trevon Diggs on Bears top wideout Darnell Mooney. Diggs is coming off of a lockdown performance and a stellar start to the year. Dan Quinn will let him shadow Mooney and work to shut him down.

So, that begs the question: can the Bears get help from any other wide receiver? The next two are Equanimeous St. Brown and Dante Pettis, who combined have less output than Mooney. Tight end Cole Kmet has just 12 catches on the year and will be up against a Cowboys safety group near the top of the league in Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, and Malik Hooker.

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With Dallas knowing they need to stop Mooney to put this passing game in the mud, some other Bears’ receiver will have to step up. And as they have proven so far this season, it doesn’t seem likely.