Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 30th, 1:00 PM ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington Texas
Betting Odds: DAL -9.5, 42 total via PFF.com
Network: Fox
Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele_T2T on Twitter)
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Justin Fields (Start, QB2)
Even with the Cowboys’ defense being a throne in the side of a lot of offenses this year, Justin Fields comes with a play set that can warrant some points for your team this week. Fields models more of a Jalen Hurts style of play, who was able to find success against Dallas just a few weeks back. Fields’ ability to create plays with his legs and pick up yards on the ground makes him a good start for a QB2, and if he is able to punch in a score or two he has the upside to give you a QB1 week. However, it doesn’t come easy against a Dallas defense that is seventh best in passing yards allowed per game and tied with multiple teams for fourth with seven interceptions on the season.
Running Backs
David Montgomery (Flex/RB2), Khalil Herbert (Sit)
David Montgomery is a flex play with the upside of an RB2. Dallas’s defense has lived by a bend-but-don’t-break approach much of the season. They have given up a total of 841 yards allowed through seven games so far at 4.4 yards per carry, so it is possible for Montgomery to find space and rack up some yardage, but any true value will come by a touchdown, which the Dallas defense has only given up two on the year. It is no surprise when you consider they are second best in the league in red zone trips allowed with just 14 attempts with teams only scoring just under 43% of the time. The Dallas defense has also yet to allow a running back to reach 100 yards in a game. Offenses have been stalling out against the Cowboys, be it from a turnover, or a sack pushing them out of field goal range, so trusting the Bears’ offense after just one week of good football will be a tough go. The Bears have said they will ride the hot hand at running back, but with the tough matchup at hand, with Khalil Herbert still getting second looks behind Montgomery, he’s normally a flex play, but it’s best this week to keep Herbert on your bench.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Darnell Mooney (Flex), Equanimeous St. Brown (Flex), Dante Pettis (Sit), Cole Kmet (Sit)
This is going to be a game where it is hard to trust any particular Bears wideout. They are facing a Cowboys secondary who have given up only 1,292 yards through the air this season, good for seventh in the NFL. Darnell Mooney and Equanimeous St. Brown have been proving more reliable as of late, and with bye weeks in effect, each could be considered for a Flex play for Sunday. Dante Pettis and Cole Kmet should be sat this week.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott (Start, QB2)
Last week was the return of Dak Prescott, and even though they were able to get the win, Dak didn’t look like the QB1 we saw often last year, and this week could prove the same. The Bears have allowed the most rushing yards this season, and the Cowboys could find themselves up early in this one. The Bears have only given up 1,262 yards through the air this season, but that’s on 193 attempts, compared to the 221 attempts on the ground, where teams have been finding most of their success against Chicago. Dak should still be able to be productive enough for a QB2 finish on the week, but the run game may take over Sunday for Dallas.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliot (Start, RB1/RB2), Tony Pollard (Start, Flex/RB2)
Ezekiel Elliot was held out of practice due to a hyperextended knee injury sustained last week against the Lions. It’s being said that Elliot can miss the whole week of practice but still suit up for Sunday. Either way, it is a situation to monitor throughout the week and into Sunday leading up to kickoff. If Elliot does indeed play, he’d be an RB2 with the upside of an RB1. The Bears come into week 8 tied for the most rushing yards allowed on the season. With Dak back at quarterback, the Cowboys should be able to sustain long drives for more red zone attempts for the lead back.
If Zeke plays, Tony Pollard could be looked at as a Flex play with a ceiling of an RB2. Pollard averages just under 10 rushing attempts and 2.6 targets per game and has made the most out of each attempt, showing his big play ability multiple times already for the Cowboys this season. If Elliot ends up missing the contest, you can look at Pollard to also take his place as an RB1/RB2. The Dallas backfield duo gets their easiest matchup yet.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Ceedee Lamb (Start, Flex/WR2), Michael Gallup (Sit), Noah Brown (Sit, Flex), Dalton Schultz (Start, TE1)
Ceedee Lamb this week should be considered as a Flex option with the upside of a WR2. Teams have been passing less on the Bears this year, with only 123 completions against the secondary. It’s due largely in part to how bad their run defense is, giving up the most rushing yards in the game. Lamb is still seeing a target share of 31.4%, and his quality of targets should see an uptick with Prescott back at the helm.
The Cowboys are happy to have Michael Gallup back in the lineup, and have expressed a need to get him more looks in the offense. Until we see that start to happen for the receiver coming off an ACL injury, he should be left on your bench. Noah Brown has settled into the role of being the guy who seems to come up with a big play when the Cowboys need an unlikely hero. However, with Gallup and Schultz both back in the lineup, he should remain on your bench.
Dalton Schultz was held to a limited practice on Wednesday as he continues to deal with his nagging PCL injury. He was able to suit up last week and play a full game, pulling in all five of his targets for 49 yards. Being a consistent target for Prescott going back since last year, Schultz is always a touchdown away from being a TE1 on the week, with a floor of a TE2.