The Bears are desperate for a win and looking to avoid an 0-3 start. The Cowboys were fortunate to get out of Week 2 with an overtime victory over the Giants.
The records are slightly different, but the situations are similar for first-year coaches Brian Schottenheimer and Ben Johnson. They both need to get this win here in Week 3 as a grueling schedule awaits both teams.
Here's what the staff writers had to say about this upcoming matchup in Chicago:
Patrik: I got exactly what I ordered against the Giants in Week 2, a forty burger with extra cheese, but I'm going to have to send what the defense brought to the table back to the kitchen. This time around, though I fully expect Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas to lead a defensive line that may or may not feature the debut of Jadeveon Clowney, the secondary has plenty to answer for this time around. I could foresee Caleb Williams getting rattled by pressure in ways Russell Wilson wasn't, and clogging lanes to halt DeAndre Swift though. More importantly, there aren't many answers for the Bears, and without Jaylon Johnson, will be able to do to slow down Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — let alone if KaVontae Turpin is cleared to play. 40-27, Cowboys
Tommy: I'm expecting this game to be one that's pretty high scoring and hectic. It features two teams that have a lot of things left to figure out, two offenses that can score a lot of points, and two defenses that have been a roller coaster to start the year. In a way, there are a lot of similarities between these two teams. At the end of the day, however, I think Dallas' offensive arsenal is going to win them this game through the air. Chicago is down their best corner in Jaylon Johnson, and without him, it's tough sledding for the defense as a whole. Don't believe me? Just look at the fact that both the starting quarterbacks from their first two games, J.J. McCarthy and Jared Goff, were both named the NFC offensive player of the week after playing the Bears. I don't think Dallas' defense will have a huge bounce back game, but I do expect Matt Eberflus' group to do just enough to get him a win in his return to the Windy City. Cowboys 38, Bears 28
Nick Eatman: Part of me really thinks the Bears are going to turn things around at some point and start winning games. It could very well be this week. But just when I get the urge to pick the Bears to win and avoid an 0-3 start, I think about their secondary. I think about what the Cowboys have going on right now on offense. I think Dak with CeeDee and Pickens are going to light up the scoreboard. That's what they did last week against the Giants and the Bears don't have what NYG has up front. The pass rush is worse than the Cowboys right now and they didn't go get a former No. 1 overall pick who has over 50 career sacks. So when you add everything up, I think it comes down to quarterback play and so I'll go with Dak over Caleb right now. I predict bounce-back games for Diggs and this will be Sanborn's best game so far as he returns back to Chicago. Give me the Cowboys in another wild one, 34-29
Kyle Youmans: This week will be a challenge for the Cowboys defense, because the Bears offense will aim to achieve what each of Dallas' first two opponents did differently. Philadelphia utilized a mobile quarterback, and Caleb Williams is extremely mobile. New York took advantage of the big play, the Bears have some solid weapons at the receiver position. However, if there's someone that knows how to make an impact, it's Matt Eberflus. I believe we'll see a big step forward from the Cowboys defense this week, and that opens even more opportunities for the offense. Cowboys win this one, 31-21.
Mickey Spagnola: This one will come down to which secondary can hang tight. The Cowboys go on the road with the same secondary setup that struggled against the Giants, giving up 37 points and 450 yards passing. The Bears will be missing three cornerbacks with injuries, and this was a defense giving up 52 points to the Lions. I'll take the Cowboys in this one based on this offense's ability to move the football, even on the road. If the Cowboys offensive line can be at least good, Dak Prescott will light up the Bears secondary enough to compensate for any further defensive struggles. Cowboys 31, Bears 23.
