Two teams trying to figure out exactly what they have meet up in the Week 8 Bears at Cowboys matchup in Arlington. Chicago (3-4) is likely in a rebuild year with a new head coach in Matt Eberflus, but they looked really solid in Monday night’s 33-14 win in New England as +9.5 underdogs.
Dallas welcomed Dak Prescott back last week, and although they started slow going into the half down 6-3 against Detroit, the Cowboys found their groove in a 24-6 win that covered the -7 point spread. Dallas is a big -10 point favorite on Sunday but 54% of the betting public are taking the points.
Bears Played a Complete Game
Chicago put together their best game of the year on Monday night a week after playing one of their worst in the 12-7 home loss to Washington the Thursday prior. At Foxborough Chicago ran for 243 yards and got a 25-yard TD pass from Justin Fields as the Bears unleashed offensive plays that they hadn’t shown before. Fields even had some designed runs as he carried the ball 14 times for 82 yards.
After Monday night’s performance Chicago has the top rushing attack in the league (181.0) although they are still worst in passing with just 126.3 ypg. Fields was also sacked four times against the Patriots, pushing that mark to a league leading 27 times. That’s not a great trend with Micah Parsons (eight sacks) looming on the other side of the ball.
The Bears also made a move this week trading away pass rusher Robert Quinn to the Eagles for a 4th round draft pick. Quinn only had one sack this season, but still had to be accounted for after collecting a franchise record 18.5 a year ago.
Prescott Easing In
It was the perfect opponent for Prescott’s return to the lineup last week as the Lions are last in the league in total yards and points allowed defensively. Prescott was 19/25 for 207 yards after being out since the season opener with a thumb injury, and the Cowboys helped him by getting the running game going to the tune of 137 yards.
Chicago held New England to 70 yards rushing on 19 carries on Monday night, great numbers for a team giving up 149.7 ypg on the ground. Dallas will likely turn to the run game again in the Week 8 Bears at Cowboys matchup, but that takes a hit with Ezekiel Elliott doubtful with a knee injury.
With no Elliott the Cowboys will turn to a heavier workload for Tony Pollard, something fans had been clamoring for anyways. He had 83 yards on just 12 carries vs. the Lions and has just 68 fewer yards rushing than Elliott (443-375) but on 42 less attempts.
Free Week 8 Bears at Cowboys Betting Pick
Chicago is on the short week and playing a second straight road game, but 10 points still seems slightly too high for this matchup. Dallas has admitted they are a defensive team now and they’re only scoring 19.1 ppg with their 305 total yards/game being the third fewest in the NFL. Chicago doesn’t have an explosive passing attack, but they can run th ball and keep the Cowboys offense off the field which will keep this game within single digits.
Free Pick: Bears +10
