BEARS (0-2) VS. COWBOYS (1-1)
SUNDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, AT&T STADIUM, ARLINGTON, TEXAS uTV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
About the Bears: They’ll clash with the Cowboys and former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, but the status of QB
was unclear after he injured his right hand on a strip sack and left Monday’s 29-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Expect Bears offensive coordinator to attempt more earnestly to establish RB
and the ground game against a soft Dallas run defense, which is permitting 4.7 yards per carry. Defensive coordinator will need greater contributions from his outside linebackers, specifically top pass rusher
against one of the NFL’s better offensive lines. The Bears had two sacks Monday against the Eagles.
About the Cowboys: Dallas survived against the NFC East rival Washington Redskins behind another strong showing from rookie QB particularly when he was playing from behind in the fourth quarter. Prescott’s poise continues to impress; he was sacked four times but remained even keeled, making good decisions while spreading the ball around. After a poor Week 1, WR
stepped up with 102 receiving yards and was targeted early and often. The defense continues to play better than the sum of its parts, especially inside its 20. S WLB and 2012 first-round bust, CB
have helped a depleted unit make enough plays. Though Prescott shined, top pick improvement as a runner (4.0 yards per carry, first rushing TD) was offset by a pair of fumbles that prompted his late benching. Cowboys WR Dez Bryant had 10 receiving yards against the Redskins.
then scored the game-winner against his former club.
Matchup to watch: Bears ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman vs. Elliott: The No. 4 overall pick showed more patience and burst last week than in his debut, but Chicago’s new speedy and instinctive tandem, one of the Bears’ biggest defensive strengths, will try to capitalize on Elliott’s fumbling — a new concern after he lost only
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
four balls in 650 collegiate touches.
Player to watch: Prescott: He became the first Cowboys rookie passer to earn a victory since Drew Henson in 2004. He has unique composure.
Number crunching: 1. Chicago has one defensive starter, Young, remaining from the last meeting with Dallas in December 2014.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Defending Dez: While Dallas has limited the damage of opposing No. 1 wideouts, Chicago hasn’t had answers early, with CB
the only proven cover man outside and safeties and
untested deep. With Prescott targeting Bryant more frequently, Fangio’s unit must make and Cole Beasley beat it.
2. Pressure Prescott: Part of Prescott’s unflappability can be attributed to a dynamite offensive line, perhaps the NFL’s best. Yet Prescott will hold the ball, and the Bears must find a way to speed up his clock and create second- and third-and-longs to test the rookie, who was reluctant to go downfield in Week 1 before opening things up Sunday.
3. Takeaways: With a pair of undermanned, bend-don’t-break defenses, whichever one can take the football away might have an edge. Cowboys S had the game-changing interception late a week ago, one week after CB had a pick and two passes defensed. Improving its franchise-low 14 takeaways in 2015 has been Chicago’s No. 1 objective.
Arthur Arkush