Review and Preview: Cowboys, Bears and Lions
The Chicago Bears could use a win after another loss in week three.
After getting embarrassed week 2 on national television against the Eagles, the Bears made their way to another prime time event into Jerry’s World against America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. I happened to attend this game as I currently reside in Dallas. Walking to the stadium the hostility against this Bears fan could be felt. With all the trash talk heard while I made my walk to the stadium, you would’ve thought the Cowboys had already won the game. Apparently, Cowboys fans knew the Bears didn’t have a shot.
With 7 injured players, they knew that Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot would tear up the Bears defense to shreds, and that’s what they did- all night long. The Bears Have been beaten to a pulp, Danny Trevathan out, Eddie Goldman out, Lamarr Houston out, Pernell McPhee out, Kyle Fuller out, Bryce Callahan out and most importantly of all, Jay Cutler out. The Bears are a young team already lacking serious depth. To expect anything out of this team anytime soon, is unreasonable.
However, if Jay Cutler played in this game, it’s a different ball game. Dallas is not as good as they think they are. Their defense is the weakest defense the Bears have faced thus far, and Jay could have lit the Cowboys up. This isn’t meant to sound like a Jay Cutler hopeful article, just from what was seen in the Cowboys defense, Jay’s ability would have posted a different result. Not saying they would have won but it would have been much closer, Brian Hoyer is a very limited quarterback, taking the downfield shot was very seldom, but Jay can make those throws.
However, that’s besides the point. The game was 5 days ago and the Bears now have the Lions at home. The Lions have been putting up big offensive numbers, and their defense is without DeAndre Levy and Ziggy Ansah. This will put some relief on the offensive line, hopefully they can gain some confidence with a less intense pass rush. The offensive line has been the biggest disappointment this year, with all the additions, Kyle Long moving back to guard and Chuck Leno in his 2nd year, it wasn’t farfetched to believe the Bears would be able to hold down the trenches. Talk about a 180 degree turn, the O-line can’t pass protect nor can they run block, the offense in total has been awful. They have a chance to build on something this Sunday.
Start off with the run game and please start Jordan Howard, he had multiple flashes against the Cowboys and with Jeremy Langford out for 4 to 6 weeks and the season facing a downward spiral, give the younger guys a chance. Get Kevin White more involved, he drops a lot of balls, but it’s believed he needs to gain more confidence in himself. Like Howard, he showed flashes last week. Thus far, he hasn’t been exciting and hasn’t lived up to the first round status, but it’s still very early in the season and he’s still very young. He needs to play faster, his hasn’t shown his 4.35 speed, but once he gets a little more comfortable he’ll be in good shape.
As for the defense, it’s hard to give them a fighting chance against the Lions offense, not that the Lions are spectacular, because they’re not. It’s because the Bears are just decimated on defense, it will be too hard to overcome. There’s no pass rush and no run defense. The pass defense statistically looks good, but the tale of tape says otherwise. Dak Prescott has his way with the secondary and you better believe Stafford and Co. will have a field day. Advice for the Bears defense: don’t get more hurt than you already are. Another significant injury and this defense will not be able to hold its own anymore, too many pieces are gone and it will be difficult to overcome anymore injuries.
Lastly, if the Bears expect to win this game, you need Jay. Brian Hoyer is a good backup, but with all these injuries, he doesn’t have enough help to do this himself. He’s nowhere near as talented as Jay and he definitely cannot carry the team on his back. If the Bears want to win, give Jay the nod to play. He practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and sat out Thursday. He’s listed as doubtful for the game, but if there is any chance that he can play, put him out there. Bears fans need to see a victory and they definitely need one at home. Good luck Chicago and BEAR DOWN!
