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

By Riley Donald

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against outside linebacker Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears during the game at Soldier Field on December 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against outside linebacker Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears during the game at Soldier Field on December 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Cowboys, Micah Parsons
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Cowboys vs Bears: Gut projection

Projection: Dallas Cowboys 27, Chicago Bears 10

This game is unlikely to be won through the air. The Bears surrender the third-fewest passing yards per game while the ‘Boys allow the fourth-fewest. The same cannot be said for the run defense. The Cowboys are the middle of the pack allowing 120 rushing yards per game while the Bears are putrid allowing 150 rushing yards per game, the third-worst in the NFL.

Both defenses don’t give up points, though. The Cowboys allow 14.9 per game and the Bears 18.9. They make it tough to score. Both teams have good ground games and could lead to an old-school game.

The big discrepancy in this game is if the Cowboys can force the Bears into third downs. The Bears have a JV passing offense averaging 126 passing yards per game. They average 10.8 completions per game. Fields completes just 55.9% of his passes. Dan Quinn will make Fields win the game against a ferocious pass rush and solid secondary which is something he hasn’t proven the ability to do so far in his career.

America’s Team will get a little more juice out of the passing game. The Bears don’t generate pressure having just 12 sacks on the season and Prescott will have time to work downfield throws more in his second game back.

The Cowboys turn Fields over two or three times. He has more interceptions than touchdowns this season and has fumbled six times. Before the Patriots game, Vegas has better odds of him throwing an interception than not. He begs to turn the ball over and a red-hot Dallas defense coming off of a five-turnover performance will smell blood in the water and won’t miss when Fields gives the opportunity.

Dallas will have this game in hand for most of it and grinds out the clock in the second half. Like the game against the Lions, it should be another notch in the win column for America’s Team and another step toward the playoffs.

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