The Chicago Bears make their first trip down to Texas since 2016 when they get set to faceoff against the Dallas Cowboys. The Bears are coming off a short, but good week after defeating the New England Patriots 33-14 in primetime on Monday night. The Cowboys, meanwhile, dismantled the Detroit Lions 24-6 behind a valiant defensive effort in quarterback Dak Prescott’s return to the field.
Dallas could be missing a couple key players, such as running back Ezekial Elliott, but they have plenty of firepower to worry about come Sunday. Here are six Cowboys players to watch when they take the field against the Bears.
1
QB Dak Prescott
Prescott played in his first game last Sunday since suffering a thumb injury way back in Week 1. Backup Cooper Rush filled in admirably, who went 4-1 this season, but now it’s Prescott’s turn to lead his team once again. The seventh-year quarterback was still shaking the rust off last weekend against the Lions, going 19-of-25 for 207 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t need to do much thanks to the Dallas defense taking the ball away at will, but now he’ll look to return to his old self against the Bears.
2
RB Tony Pollard
With Elliott very questionable to play on Sunday, the door is wide open for running back Tony Pollard to lead the team in carries. Pollard is the backup to Elliott, but sees plenty of snaps and has proven to be just as effective as the starter, if not more. Pollard has 375 yards on 67 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Compare that to Elliott’s 4.1 yards per carry and it’s clear who the better back has been. The Bears have done a nice job shoring up their run defense after a brutal start to the season. Things may become more difficult however now that the Bears will be without Robert Quinn, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. The edges could be more open for Pollard to break a big run.
3
WR CeeDee Lamb
The Bears pass defense has held strong for the most part this season and now they’ll face yet another group of pass catchers who don’t exactly scare anyone. Still, their best option is still a threat to make big plays and that’s wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The third-year receiver out of Oklahoma took over as the unquestioned top playmaker this season and has done well, despite playing with Rush for the majority of the games. Lamb is still looking for that first 100-yard performance, however, and could struggle to find it against the Bears secondary. Still, he’s the receiver to keep an eye on and he will most likely be Prescott’s top target.
4
LB Micah Parsons
If there’s one person to watch this weekend, it’s Micah Parsons and it’s not particulary close. The second-year linebacker is quickly becoming a star in this league and is the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Parsons has been unbelievable this year, leading the team with seven sacks, while also totaling eight tackles for loss. He’s going to be a problem for this offensive line and could be the Kryptonite to Justin Fields’ running ability. The Bears will need to take Parsons out of the gameplan to have a shot at stopping him and the Dallas defense.
5
DE Dorance Armstrong
Parsons may get all of the headlines, but a player who is having just as good of a season that’s flying under the radar is defensive end Dorance Armstrong. The 25-year old is having a career year in 2022, notching six sacks, eight QB hits, and 17 total tackles. He and DeMarcus Lawrence are terrorizing the line of scrimmage, but it’s Armstrong who has been more deadly getting to the quarterback. The Bears are once again shuffling their offensive line due to injuries and it could be music to Armstrong’s ears. Fields will need to keep his head on a swivel when dropping back to pass or run.
6
CB Trevon Diggs
Defensive back Trevon Diggs broke out in a big way in 2021, leading the NFL in interceptions with 11 and he’s off to a phenomenal start once again. Through seven games, Diggs has three picks already and is limiting quarterbacks to just a 73.9 passer rating. Those numbers aren’t like his 2021 totals, but he’s proving last season wasn’t a fluke. When the Bears decide to move the ball through the air, Diggs will need to be avoided. While he is susceptible to the big play, it’s doubtful the Bears have the receivers fast enough to make his life miserable.
