Cowboys Heading To Chicago For Sunday Night Battle
Zach Buchanan - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 22, 2007 6:03 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 7:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Soldier Field, Chicago
TELEVISION: NBC (Al Michaels and John Madden)
BIG ISSUE: Amidst the signing of Tank Johnson, the significance of the Cowboys' Sunday night game against the Bears has been somewhat overlooked. In what many consider a potential preview of this year's NFC Championship game, the Cowboys' dynamite offense must take on the daunting task of scoring on the feared Bears D. And while the Cowboys lead the league in scoring, a portion of their success can be traced to a lackluster Giants defense in Week 1 and several mistakes made by Miami quarterback Trent Green, giving Dallas great field position in Week 2. Many players in the Cowboys locker room have expressed confidence in the offense's ability to lead the league in scoring, and with an impressive showing against the Bears, people might start to believe them.
The Bears' defense proved it can cause discord in talented offenses so far this season with a defensive exhibition against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1. But despite the defense's dominance, the Bears' offense could only contribute a field goal in that season-opening loss. So while the Bears can defend against exceptional offensive teams, it still remains to be seen if they beat them. Their offense is suspect at best and must face a Cowboys defense that is likely to regain the services of starting left cornerback Terence Newman coming off of a five-turnover game at Miami. If the Bears' offense can manage to put any points on the board, this game should be a close one.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: The Cowboys have shown they can handle "bruiser" running backs like Chicago's Cedric Benson. In last week's game against the Dolphins, the Cowboys' defense held pounder Ronnie Brown to only 3.0 yards per carry. And despite giving up a combined 55 points in two games, the Cowboys have yet to concede a rushing touchdown.
The Bears' defense is known to cause turnovers, but so is the Bears' offense. The Bears have a minus-3 turnover differential after two games, having intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles, but also losing four fumbles and tossing three interceptions. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are plus-4 in turnovers, their only two coming against the Giants in Week 1.
ONE-ON-ONE: After being called out by Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter last Sunday for being a pseudo-tough guy, Cowboys running back Marion Barber had the last laugh by running for two touchdowns. The Bears' linebackers are even more intimidating than those of the Dolphins, and Barber and fellow back Julius Jones will probably have a harder time shaking a Chicago defense headlined by linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs that held last season's top two rushers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson, to only 80 rushing yards combined in their first two games.
Although the Bears have an anemic offense, more often than not, kick returner Devin Hester manages to pick up the slack. Hester, who returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown last week against the Chiefs and had another kick return score negated by a penalty, is a legitimate threat to go all the way with any kick or punt that lands in his hands, and could probably return a bad gift for a touchdown even without a receipt. While the Cowboys know they can't completely avoid Hester, expect rookie kicker Nick Folk and punter Mat McBriar to do their best to put the ball in places where Hester doesn't have a lot of room.
SUPPORTING ROLE: When wide receiver Patrick Crayton walked off of the Dolphin Stadium field last week with his pinky finger pointed akimbo, the wide receiver corps looked to be in trouble with starter Terry Glenn already out since training camp. But Crayton returned to the field and sparked a Cowboys comeback with a 49-yard punt return. Head coach Wade Phillips has said the fourth-year wide receiver has been catching passes and punts regularly during practice despite wearing a splint on his finger, so Crayton should be good to go against the Bears.
One player who will likely be stepping onto Soldier Field for the first time Sunday is the Bears' top draft pick, tight end Greg Olsen, who returned to practice Wednesday after recovering from a knee injury. Olsen, a University of Miami product, will line up as the second tight end opposite Desmond Clark, but unlike Clark, the faster Olsen is a considerable receiving threat and will look to get behind the Cowboys linebackers.
HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys showed last week how pressure can make even the savviest of veteran quarterbacks make mistakes. Throw that same pressure in with mistake-prone Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, and turnovers will likely result. In order to get that needed pressure, Phillips said he will be moving Pro Bowl linebacker and pass-rusher extraordinaire DeMarcus Ware around to prevent Ware from being double-teamed. Even if Ware does draw two blockers, that means a whole is open elsewhere, allowing rookie Anthony Spencer, Bradie James and others to get a shot at Grossman.
The Bears' defense is one of the best in the league, and one reason why is its versatility. The Bears are likely to vary how many people they put in the box, making it difficult for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to read the coverage and recognize the blitz. Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will have to be as good, if not better than he was against the Giants and Dolphins with his play-calling to catch the Bears out of position.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
The status of the two big injury question marks for the Cowboys still hasn't changed. Outside linebacker Greg Ellis (heel) didn't practice Friday and is listed as out for the game against the Bears. Cornerback Terence Newman is again listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision, though Phillips did say Newman has been moving more easily this week and seemed more encouraged about his possibility of playing at least on the nickel defense. Starting fullback Oliver Hoyte (neck), who was "banged up" against the Dolphins last Sunday, fully participated in practice Friday and is listed as probable, though Deon Anderson has been getting more first-team snaps this week.
Bears
Punter Brad Maynard (groin), backup defensive end Alex Brown (ankle) and starting center Olin Kreutz (ankle) all fully participated in Friday's practice and are listed as probable for the Bears. Star linebacker Brian Urlacher did not practice Friday with back issues, but is still listed as probable for the game. Also, while the Bears listed Maynard as probable, they did sign another punter on Friday, bringing in veteran Dirk Johnson - either to take Maynard's place or as insurance. Starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker (quad) was added to the Bears' injury report Saturday morning, listed as questionable.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 22, 2007 6:03 PM
GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)
WHEN: Sunday, 7:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Soldier Field, Chicago
TELEVISION: NBC (Al Michaels and John Madden)
BIG ISSUE: Amidst the signing of Tank Johnson, the significance of the Cowboys' Sunday night game against the Bears has been somewhat overlooked. In what many consider a potential preview of this year's NFC Championship game, the Cowboys' dynamite offense must take on the daunting task of scoring on the feared Bears D. And while the Cowboys lead the league in scoring, a portion of their success can be traced to a lackluster Giants defense in Week 1 and several mistakes made by Miami quarterback Trent Green, giving Dallas great field position in Week 2. Many players in the Cowboys locker room have expressed confidence in the offense's ability to lead the league in scoring, and with an impressive showing against the Bears, people might start to believe them.
The Bears' defense proved it can cause discord in talented offenses so far this season with a defensive exhibition against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1. But despite the defense's dominance, the Bears' offense could only contribute a field goal in that season-opening loss. So while the Bears can defend against exceptional offensive teams, it still remains to be seen if they beat them. Their offense is suspect at best and must face a Cowboys defense that is likely to regain the services of starting left cornerback Terence Newman coming off of a five-turnover game at Miami. If the Bears' offense can manage to put any points on the board, this game should be a close one.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: The Cowboys have shown they can handle "bruiser" running backs like Chicago's Cedric Benson. In last week's game against the Dolphins, the Cowboys' defense held pounder Ronnie Brown to only 3.0 yards per carry. And despite giving up a combined 55 points in two games, the Cowboys have yet to concede a rushing touchdown.
The Bears' defense is known to cause turnovers, but so is the Bears' offense. The Bears have a minus-3 turnover differential after two games, having intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles, but also losing four fumbles and tossing three interceptions. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are plus-4 in turnovers, their only two coming against the Giants in Week 1.
ONE-ON-ONE: After being called out by Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter last Sunday for being a pseudo-tough guy, Cowboys running back Marion Barber had the last laugh by running for two touchdowns. The Bears' linebackers are even more intimidating than those of the Dolphins, and Barber and fellow back Julius Jones will probably have a harder time shaking a Chicago defense headlined by linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs that held last season's top two rushers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson, to only 80 rushing yards combined in their first two games.
Although the Bears have an anemic offense, more often than not, kick returner Devin Hester manages to pick up the slack. Hester, who returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown last week against the Chiefs and had another kick return score negated by a penalty, is a legitimate threat to go all the way with any kick or punt that lands in his hands, and could probably return a bad gift for a touchdown even without a receipt. While the Cowboys know they can't completely avoid Hester, expect rookie kicker Nick Folk and punter Mat McBriar to do their best to put the ball in places where Hester doesn't have a lot of room.
SUPPORTING ROLE: When wide receiver Patrick Crayton walked off of the Dolphin Stadium field last week with his pinky finger pointed akimbo, the wide receiver corps looked to be in trouble with starter Terry Glenn already out since training camp. But Crayton returned to the field and sparked a Cowboys comeback with a 49-yard punt return. Head coach Wade Phillips has said the fourth-year wide receiver has been catching passes and punts regularly during practice despite wearing a splint on his finger, so Crayton should be good to go against the Bears.
One player who will likely be stepping onto Soldier Field for the first time Sunday is the Bears' top draft pick, tight end Greg Olsen, who returned to practice Wednesday after recovering from a knee injury. Olsen, a University of Miami product, will line up as the second tight end opposite Desmond Clark, but unlike Clark, the faster Olsen is a considerable receiving threat and will look to get behind the Cowboys linebackers.
HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys showed last week how pressure can make even the savviest of veteran quarterbacks make mistakes. Throw that same pressure in with mistake-prone Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, and turnovers will likely result. In order to get that needed pressure, Phillips said he will be moving Pro Bowl linebacker and pass-rusher extraordinaire DeMarcus Ware around to prevent Ware from being double-teamed. Even if Ware does draw two blockers, that means a whole is open elsewhere, allowing rookie Anthony Spencer, Bradie James and others to get a shot at Grossman.
The Bears' defense is one of the best in the league, and one reason why is its versatility. The Bears are likely to vary how many people they put in the box, making it difficult for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to read the coverage and recognize the blitz. Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will have to be as good, if not better than he was against the Giants and Dolphins with his play-calling to catch the Bears out of position.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
The status of the two big injury question marks for the Cowboys still hasn't changed. Outside linebacker Greg Ellis (heel) didn't practice Friday and is listed as out for the game against the Bears. Cornerback Terence Newman is again listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision, though Phillips did say Newman has been moving more easily this week and seemed more encouraged about his possibility of playing at least on the nickel defense. Starting fullback Oliver Hoyte (neck), who was "banged up" against the Dolphins last Sunday, fully participated in practice Friday and is listed as probable, though Deon Anderson has been getting more first-team snaps this week.
Bears
Punter Brad Maynard (groin), backup defensive end Alex Brown (ankle) and starting center Olin Kreutz (ankle) all fully participated in Friday's practice and are listed as probable for the Bears. Star linebacker Brian Urlacher did not practice Friday with back issues, but is still listed as probable for the game. Also, while the Bears listed Maynard as probable, they did sign another punter on Friday, bringing in veteran Dirk Johnson - either to take Maynard's place or as insurance. Starting defensive tackle Darwin Walker (quad) was added to the Bears' injury report Saturday morning, listed as questionable.
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