Bears Blitz

Published by Big Chil on September 17, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Dallas is favored to beat the Chicago Bears at home by 8.5 points, the second largest betting spread after the Green Bay – Buffalo game (13 points).  Seriously, Las Vegas? 

Let’s recap last week’s action for the two teams. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears’ 19-14 home opening win versus the Detroit Lions was not smooth, to say the least.

Despite a league-leading 463 yards of total offense in Week 1, along with giving up a league-low 20 yards’ rushing, and ceding a second-best 168 yards of total offense, the game came down to a controversial non-catch ruling in the end zone in the waning seconds by Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson. 

Regardless of one’s opinion on the rule or its interpretation that denied Johnson a likely game-winning touchdown, the Bears’ dominant statistics for the game stand. Yes, it’s Detroit, but this is a defense that has arguably the best front seven in football: Tommy Harris, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs, and Brian Urlacher, and their supporting cast. 

Dallas Cowboys

Despite piling up 388 yards of total offense against Washington, Dallas struggled to score in their 13-7 Week 1 loss.  Mirroring Detroit, the Cowboys even had a last-second winning touchdown overturned by a call, holding, in this case.

The Washington Redskins were 4-12 last year, and they’re looking to improve in a tough division, though they’ll be lucky to reach the Bears’ mark of last year, which was 7-9.

The Bears scored four times, two touchdowns and two field goals, minus an attempted two-point conversion, while racking up the league leading yardage.  The Cowboys scored only once, against a weaker Washington defense.  The Bears offense even gave up the ball four times, while the Cowboys only had one turnover.  That’s a lot of dead drives. 

Both teams outplayed their opponents.  Both teams killed themselves with penalties, Bears 9-100, Cowboys 12-81.  So, what happens in Dallas?

This game is going to be a lot closer than the line indicates. 

Dallas had 105 yards rushing.  Total.  The Bears will hold them to that, or less.  Receiving, Miles Austin was the star with 146 yards.  The Bears will tamp that down to 100 or so, and the rest of the Dallas receiving corps will make about as much difference as they did with Washington. 

On the Bears’ side of the ball, we know Cutler is going to throw.  He’s going to outpass Romo easily, as he did in Week 1.

The Bears play a simple game plan, and get to the Red Zone more than the Cowboys, four trips to three, and reduce the turnover battle to +1 in the Cowboys’ favor. 

Two touchdowns, two field goals for the Bears, and two touchdowns, one field goal for the Cowboys.

Chicago Bears 20 – 17 Dallas Cowboys

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