4 bold predictions for the Cowboys vs. Bears Week 8 NFC battle

Last week the Dallas Cowboys were able to get more turnovers than I predicted but fell short of the other predictions.

This week, the situations are reversed as the offense will face off against a top-ten defensive unit while the defense takes on a bottom-of-the-league offense. Though the Bears’ offense may not be as good as some of the others the Cowboys have faced this season, they do sport one of the best rushing attacks in the league which just happens to be a vulnerable area for the Dallas defense.

This means this is another situation where the Cowboys’ defense is going to need to primarily focus on stopping the run in order to make the young quarterback for the Chicago Bears beat them with his arm.

However, that will be easier said than done, thanks to quarterback Justin Fields’ running ability. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has a lot to plan for in this game, including the addition of a run-stuffing defensive lineman they just traded for in Jonathan Hankins, and easing rookie linebacker Damone Clark in as well.

It’s going to be interesting to see how this game plays out, but I have a few bold predictions about how I believe this game will go. Let’s get started.

4 bold predictions for the Cowboys vs Bears Week 8 matchup

4. Spy vs Spy

We all remember what happened in the last game where Dallas faced off against a mobile quarterback (Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts).

Philly came up with a solid game plan to attack whichever side Micah Parsons would line up on and run read-option off of how he reacted. Knowing this we can expect the Chicago Bears to try and attack the Cowboys’ defense in the same way. We should also expect defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to adjust as well by adding a spy to watch Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

Deploying a spy will help contain Fields’ ability to make plays with his legs, forcing the young quarterback to stand in the pocket and try to beat the Cowboys with his arm.

The player perfect for this job is Quinn’s tone-setter, Donovan Wilson. The hard-hitting safety isn’t afraid to come up and do the dirty work in the running game. This scheme would allow the Cowboys’ linebackers and defensive line to focus more on stopping the Bears’ efficient running game with David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, and Wilson to do what he does best — hit people and make open field tackles.

Stopping Justin Fields in the running game will be key for this Cowboys’ defense if they want to get off the field and win this game.

Game Prediction: Donovan Wilson will hold Justin Fields to just 35 yards rushing for the entire game and rack up 5 tackles on Fields in the process.