DMN: A look at how the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears match up

[jobberone]

A look at how the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears match up
http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/d3211bbbfa93217ac1c6abde9f883345?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@***BANNED-URL***
1:02 pm on December 8, 2013 | Permalink

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/files/2013/12/451771555_34462447-620x412.jpg

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Injured Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears watches from the sidelines during a game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 24, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images)

About a month ago the Dallas Cowboys looked like they were headed nowhere fast. But after two consecutive victories they find themselves on top of the NFC East standings as their December march begins with a game against Chicago at Soldier Field. A victory Monday could give Dallas a major boost as it aims to claim its first playoff berth since 2009. Here is a look at how the Cowboys and Bears match up:

When the Cowboys run

In their last showing, the Cowboys’ ground attack looked potent. DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar carved up the Raiders as Dallas gained 144 yards on 30 carries. But Dunbar suffered a season-ending knee injury and Murray will be forced to do the bulk of the work in the remaining games. He should be used early and often Monday against a Bears run defense that is the worst in the league, allowing an average of 153.6 yards per game.

Edge: Cowboys
Continue reading →

 

[Gridiron Man]

He should be used early and often Monday against a Bears run defense that is the worst in the league, allowing an average of 153.6 yards per game.

This is comforting, although I find it surprising. I never imagined anyone could have a worse avg. than ours. We just look so bad in this dept. with all the injuries and losses.

 

[jobberone]

This is comforting, although I find it surprising. I never imagined anyone could have a worse avg. than ours. We just look so bad in this dept. with all the injuries and losses.

The return of Lee and Durant will help out the run defense, too.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Scandrick says Cowboys have some things 'gameplan-wise' to deal with Bears' height advantage at receiver
Orlando Scandrick understands the size advantage the Bears’ Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery will have Monday night against the Cowboys’ cornerbacks.

“Obviously they’re going to catch passes. But we need to limit their big plays and keep them from getting on top of the defense,” Scandrick said. “I feel like last week there were a couple of times where the Raiders got on top of our defense, and we can’t let that happen. I also feel like in the second half we did a much better job. I feel like we’re going to have some things gameplan-wise that will help us out.”

Scandrick said there are no tricks to make up the size disadvantage. It still comes down to fundamentals for him.

“Most of the time, when you’re trying to rip through his hand and rip the ball out, he’s going to go get it at its highest point,” he said. “We’re going to have to go and stay on top of the route, turn around and play the ball.

I just play the ball. You don’t want to get caught up in thinking how tall he is. You just try to go play the ball, and hopefully you come down with it.”


Read more here:
http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.co...l-with-bears-height-advantage-at-receive.html

 

[Venger]

Scandrick says Cowboys have some things 'gameplan-wise' to deal with Bears' height advantage at receiver

I hope they're different things gameplan-wise than what they used to deal with the Lions' and Saints' height advantage at receiver...

 

[theebs]

I hope they're different things gameplan-wise than what they used to deal with the Lions' height advantage at receiver...

well hopefully jakkar Hamilton isn't put in a position to make a play on the final drive!!!

 

[visionary]

Scandrick says Cowboys have some things 'gameplan-wise' to deal with Bears' height advantage at receiver

'secret sauce'?

 

[guag]

I feel like we’re going to have some things gameplan-wise that will help us out.”

Hopefully these 'gameplay-wise' tactics don't generate defensive holding and pass interference calls.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think this game will come down to the running games. With cold and windy conditions it is going to be hard to get the ball down field.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Dallas run game -

Murray carrying the bulk of the load isn't as good as the one-two punch of Murray/Dunbar. Now factor in Ratliff's motivation to show the world he should have been respected - whether that was really the case or not - and that changes things a great deal for me.

Dallas passing game -

Romo has had a great season. Perhaps his best. But the passing game has two components that make it work, and Romo, while the more influential of the two, is not the end all. I have watched this receiving corp that was showing signs of being great start to drop passes. Now factor in the weather and how hard that ball will be tonight and I don't see the arrow pointing up for the pass catchers on this team.

Remember, Dallas is now a dome team playing in a brutal northern mid-west with temperatures nothing like around here. If the wind picks up - and they do call it the Windy City for a reason - then Dallas has to rely on Murray instead of Romo.

That is scary.

Bears run game -

Forte is a good back. Very good. His ability to run the ball and find creases is a known fact. This game will end up being a slobberknocker and the best lines will win it. That seems obvious during every game, but the weather will play such a major factor in the outcome.

Bears passing game -

Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery will be the difference in this game, most likely. Two big strong receivers against a pass defense ranked at the bottom of the barrel. Marshall may have been praising Carr, but that doesn't change the fact they will find their match-ups against smaller DB's. Get Forte fired up with the run and the play action will rip Dallas a new one.

Intangible -

Can Jason Garrett devise a game plan to find match-ups to exploit, and make changes in mid-stream when their match-ups also find success?

That question can be asked every week. Last game Dallas made to solid halftime adjustments which shot down the Raider's passing game.

But this week, on the road, on a frozen field, execution will be the name of the game. So even if Opie draws up a great game plan, and then some solid half time adjustments, can this team execute?

The weather report suggests the wind will be about 17 miles per hour.

Can Dallas create an accurate short passing game and find separation and continue moving the sticks?

That is a tall order.

If this comes down to a predominate running attack type of game, Is Murray up for this?

Just my opinion, but this is a pretty pivotal game with the Bears having the advantage.

 

[Doomsday101]

Dallas run game -

Murray carrying the bulk of the load isn't as good as the one-two punch of Murray/Dunbar. Now factor in Ratliff's motivation to show the world he should have been respected - whether that was really the case or not - and that changes things a great deal for me.

Dallas passing game -

Romo has had a great season. Perhaps his best. But the passing game has two components that make it work, and Romo, while the more influential of the two, is not the end all. I have watched this receiving corp that was showing signs of being great start to drop passes. Now factor in the weather and how hard that ball will be tonight and I don't see the arrow pointing up for the pass catchers on this team.

Remember, Dallas is now a dome team playing in a brutal northern mid-west with temperatures nothing like around here. If the wind picks up - and they do call it the Windy City for a reason - then Dallas has to rely on Murray instead of Romo.

That is scary.

Bears run game -

Forte is a good back. Very good. His ability to run the ball and find creases is a known fact. This game will end up being a slobberknocker and the best lines will win it. That seems obvious during every game, but the weather will play such a major factor in the outcome.

Bears passing game -

Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery will be the difference in this game, most likely. Two big strong receivers against a pass defense ranked at the bottom of the barrel. Marshall may have been praising Carr, but that doesn't change the fact they will find their match-ups against smaller DB's. Get Forte fired up with the run and the play action will rip Dallas a new one.

Intangible -

Can Jason Garrett devise a game plan to find match-ups to exploit, and make changes in mid-stream when their match-ups also find success?

That question can be asked every week. Last game Dallas made to solid halftime adjustments which shot down the Raider's passing game.

But this week, on the road, on a frozen field, execution will be the name of the game. So even if Opie draws up a great game plan, and then some solid half time adjustments, can this team execute?

The weather report suggests the win will be about 17 miles per hour.

Can Dallas create an accurate short passing game and find separation and continue moving the sticks?

That is a tall order.

If this comes down to a predominate running attack type of game, Is Murray up for this?

Just my opinion, but this is a pretty pivotal game with the Bears having the advantage.

Romo played in windy condition in NY and helped beat the Giants. I agree run game will be critical however I think a game like this you could see a big game from Beasley and Witten. Romo born and raised in wisconsin I think he can handle the conditions.

 

[Gaede]

Hopefully these 'gameplay-wise' tactics don't generate defensive holding and pass interference calls.

Ill take those f they prevent 200 yds to Marshall and/or jeffrey

 

[TwoDeep3]

Romo played in windy condition in NY and helped beat the Giants. I agree run game will be critical however I think a game like this you could see a big game from Beasley and Witten. Romo born and raised in wisconsin I think he can handle the conditions.

Where Romo was born, what happened in the Giants game both will not have any bearing on this game.

 

[Doomsday101]

Where Romo was born, what happened in the Giants game both will not have any bearing on this game.

He was born in Cal but he was raised in Wisconsin, he went to school in Wisconsin then to college in Illinois where he was born? Come on he was not playing football until he was up north. As for the giants game I pointed in out because of the windy condition and Romo was able to produce this is not about NY or Chicago but about how Romo handled the conditions.

 

[Direwolf63]

I hope they're different things gameplan-wise than what they used to deal with the Lions' and Saints' height advantage at receiver...

All we can hope for is that what the CB's did in the second half of the Oakland game works against the Bears WR's. Granted, they are much better than what Oakland put out there.

We need pass rush up the middle from Hatcher and from the outside from Ware and Selvie. Nothing will help our corners more than having d-lineman in McCowans face all night. Not sure this will happen though.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I just do not see what a player did in one game seeping over to another.

How has Dallas played against the Bears over the last few years?

10/01/2012 Dallas Cowboys Chicago Bears H L 34-18 90,080
09/19/2010 Dallas Cowboys Chicago Bears H L 27-20 85,168
09/23/2007 Dallas Cowboys Chicago Bears A W 34-10 62,099
11/25/2004 Dallas Cowboys Chicago Bears H W 21-7 64,026

I suppose if there is a trend brewing, Dallas winning would continue what Romo has experienced.

But this still speaks about what happened yesterday, and that influences today's game not at all.

I think Romo will play well. I am suspect about the pass catchers of Dallas.

And the big receivers of the Bears.

 

[theebs]

He was born in Cal but he was raised in Wisconsin, he went to school in Wisconsin then to college in Illinois where he was born? Come on he was not playing football until he was up north. As for the giants game I pointed in out because of the windy condition and Romo was able to produce this is not about NY or Chicago but about how Romo handled the conditions.

we have had a short to intermediate passing game all year. In ny it was a benefit to us.

I believe it will be again tonight. Chicago likes to throw the ball down the field, they rely on it for their big plays.

I think the passing game favors us tonight.

 

[CashMan]

I am going to the game tonight, but it is going to be close to 0 degrees around gametime. Right now, it is like 20 degrees in Chicagoland.

 

[theebs]

I am going to the game tonight, but it is going to be close to 0 degrees around gametime. Right now, it is like 20 degrees in Chicagoland.

have fun man. I would love to be going. the cold is awesome.

Used to love going to bills games in the snow and ice. makes it so much fun.

 

[cowboys2233]

Dallas run game -

Murray carrying the bulk of the load isn't as good as the one-two punch of Murray/Dunbar. Now factor in Ratliff's motivation to show the world he should have been respected - whether that was really the case or not - and that changes things a great deal for me.

Dallas passing game -

Romo has had a great season. Perhaps his best. But the passing game has two components that make it work, and Romo, while the more influential of the two, is not the end all. I have watched this receiving corp that was showing signs of being great start to drop passes. Now factor in the weather and how hard that ball will be tonight and I don't see the arrow pointing up for the pass catchers on this team.

Remember, Dallas is now a dome team playing in a brutal northern mid-west with temperatures nothing like around here. If the wind picks up - and they do call it the Windy City for a reason - then Dallas has to rely on Murray instead of Romo.

That is scary.

So the fact that the conditions will force both teams to run the ball and the fact that the Bears have the worst run defense in the league is actually a bad thing for the Cowboys? Do I have that right? Ratliff's motivation, that's funny to me. Ratliff is going to get blown off the ball because Ratliff is undersized and not close to being in game shape. The fact that he has his panties in a bunch isn't going to change that.