Chicago Bears vs Dallas Cowboys Preview: Inside the Numbers

Dallas Cowboys fans cheers

Dallas, like Chicago, plays great offense and horrific defense, as indicated by the ‘Boys (-54.5) overall defensive rating. Shockingly, the Bears have a (-109.2) grade, worst in the NFL. Dallas has experienced a rash of injuries on defense, though none of which were as catastrophic as the Bears’. Sean Lee (7.6), Demarcus Ware (11.9), Jason Hatcher (27.1), and Anthony Spencer have all missed significant time in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s new Tampa-2 scheme. The aforementioned walking wounded make up Dallas’s defensive studs, so the sledding has been understandably difficult for the new regime.  The unit, as currently constructed, struggles mightily to stop the run (-50.1), so Matt Forte ought to find multiple running lanes Monday night.

Coincidentally or not, the Cowboys have performed much better on special teams since the departure of former special teams coordinator, and current Bears coordinator, Joe DeCamillis. Return man Dwayne Harris and kicker Dan Bailey each grade out among the top five at their positions while punter Chris Jones ranks in the top ten. Conversely, Robbie Gould and Adam Podlesh both rank in the bottom quarter of their positions.

It’s hard to project the Bears with much confidence these days after a string of miserable performances. However, the Monsters of the Midway have played better under the national spotlight for some odd reason. Possessing the league’s worst defense and second worst pass blockers does not bode well for the beloved Bears, but these are the Cowboys they are facing after all.