Cowboys vs Bears Preview and Pick
The Dallas Cowboys head to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bears on NFL’s Monday Night Football. Dallas and star quarterback Tony Romo have struggled during December, but they hope to see their recent good efforts extend into the final month of the regular season.
Chicago however is heading quickly in the opposite direction thanks to a number of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball.
Dallas looks to win its third straight game tonight against a Chicago team that will have to play on offensive without quarterback Jay Culter and on defense without starting linebacker Lance Briggs.
Dallas defeated the New York Giants in week 12 and then the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving to put them tied at the top of the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles won on Sunday to move a half game ahead pending tonight’s outcome.
Dallas is 5-2 SU over its past 7 games overall, but has a record of just 13-17 since Romo became the Dallas starting quarterback during 2006. Romo missed part of 2010 and is 11-15 during that stretch.
Chicago has had their share of problems of late. The Bears have lost two straight including being blown out on November 24 against St. Louis 43-21 and then losing in overtime to Minnesota 23-20.
Despite losing six of their past nine games, the Bears are only a game behind Detroit in the NFC North.
Chicago will have Josh McCown start at quarterback for Jay Cutler for the fourth straight game. Cutler has had a high ankle sprain keep him out for three games. He also missed one due to a groin injury.
McCown, as Culter’s replacement, has done well. He has 923 yards passing, five touchdowns and just one interception over his past three games.
McCown threw for 355 yards in the loss to Minnesota. In the game, Alshon Jeffery had 12 receptions for 249 yards, to set a new team receiving record. Dallas is susceptible to the pass, as they are ranked No. 31 in the league.
Dallas should receive a boost on defense with the return of Sean Lee their talented linebacker who has missed the past two games.
Chicago is looking for its third straight win over Dallas. Last season on Monday night in October, the Bears beat Dallas 34-18. Cutler had two touchdowns in the game, while Romo was intercepted five times tying his career high.
Against the pass, Chicago has 15 interceptions, but their run defense is nearly non-existent. The Bears are allowing 205 yards per game on the ground for an average of 5.9 yards a carry over its past six games.
The Cowboys are 8-4 ATS over their past 12 games and 5-2 SU over their past 7. The OVER is 4-1 in Dallas’ past five games. The Cowboys are 4-2 ATS over their past 6 road games.
Chicago has a record of 1-8 ATS over its past 9 games. The Bears are 2-4 SU over their past 6 games. The OVER is 10-4 in the past 14 games played by Chicago. At home, the Bears are 0-5 ATS in their past 5 games.
Pick: Dallas 27-20
