ESPN Insider Scouts Pick: Dallas at Chicago
Are these the two best teams in the NFC?
Right now, they are, but both teams have major question marks and neither team would be considered an elite AFC team after two weeks.
Chicago's defense and special teams are every bit as good as they were a year ago, which was good enough for a trip to the Super Bowl. The problem with the Bears is behind center. The Bears have more weapons than ever, but having Rex Grossman delivering the ball is a huge concern. Chicago would waltz into the postseason with a true caretaker quarterback, like Brian Griese or Kyle Orton, but Grossman's pension for misreading coverages and turning the ball over could eventually be enough to derail this train. He has only accumulated 254 passing yards in the first two games. Dallas' defense will throw many different looks at Grossman to force him into uncomfortable situations and when things go wrong, Grossman usually costs his team big.
While not as concerning as having a wildly erratic quarterback, the Cowboys have more than their share of questions on the defensive side of the ball. NT Jason Ferguson is lost for the year and his ability to eat space in the middle of the defense will be sorely missed. His backup, Jeremiah Ratliff, was very effective last week, but that was against an awful Dolphins' offensive line. This week he will have to line up against one of the best centers in the league in Olin Kreutz. Chicago will pound RB Cedric Benson between the tackles and test the interior of Dallas' defense. OLB Greg Ellis and star CB Terence Newman have yet to see the field this season because of injuries that very well could hamper them all year long. This will be a big problem for Dallas, because the depth behind Newman is suspect. Chicago will test the Cowboys' cornerbacks on many occasions this week and could be particularly effective off play-action if Benson is able to establish himself as an interior power runner.
What kind of impact can Tommie Harris have in this game?
It could be argued that Harris is the best player on either team. He is the best upfield, one-gap defensive tackle in the game today. He looks as explosive as ever after recovering from last year's serious hamstring injury. The Bears were very wise to bring him along slowly during the preseason. He anticipated snap counts and showed rare quickness in Week 1 as he disrupted the Chargers' offense on a consistent basis and last week against the Chiefs, he had two sacks. Harris is more important to the Bears' defense than any other player, including the great LB Brian Urlacher. Chicago's Cover-2 scheme is predicated on getting penetration against the run and a consistent pass-rush from its defensive linemen. Many teams run a version of the Cover 2, but none have a three-technique tackle in Harris' class, because true upfield defensive tackles are very difficult to find.
As the three technique, he usually lines up on the outside shoulder of the strongside guard and uses his extreme athleticism to beat a far inferior athlete off the snap. The Cowboys do not have anyone on their offensive line who can handle Harris one-on-one with any degree of consistency. The double teams and added attention that he will surely garner only makes Urlacher and the rest of Chicago's defensive players that much better. Dallas will have to be aware of Harris on every snap and he has the potential to completely disrupt a very good Cowboys' offense.
Under any circumstance, should the Cowboys punt to Devin Hester?
Mat McBriar is one of the best punters in the league, but the answer to this question is very easy. NO! Hester's return ability is one of the few things that Chicago has been able to rely on to score points, as he did against the Chiefs last week. By no means is putting the football in his hands a good idea. Not only is he fast, explosive and quick, but he is also tough and fearless as a punt-catcher. He doesn't shy away from contact and runs with conviction, but is so elusive that he rarely takes big shots. His best asset may be his field vision and he seems to see things a few moves ahead of normal speed and he is extremely confident in his immense abilities.
Bears special teams coach Dave Toub has done a fantastic job with Chicago's special teams in all facets. The Bears certainly deserve the special teams edge in this game and that holds true against any opponent they face. Their specialists are solid and reliable. Plus, their coverage teams are very strong and of course, their returner is simply elite. There is absolutely no reason not to concede a little bit of field position with a shorter punt out of bounds instead of letting Hester field it.
Scouts' Edge
The Scouts Inc. Position Advantage QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
This game has much more to it than the Scouts Inc. Advantage would lead you to believe. Dallas' offense and Chicago's defense are outstanding, but each team has questions on the other side of the ball.
If Newman is fully healthy, which is unlikely, Dallas might match him up on WR Bernard Berrian. This would favor Newman, but if he isn't 100 percent the Cowboys' defense will play a lot more zone-coverage and will be far less aggressive.
The Bears' offense has already turned the ball over six times this season and if that trend continues, their defense and special teams will not be able to bail them out against Dallas' outstanding offense. We don't trust Grossman to make good decisions in a game under the national spotlight, so we take the Cowboys on the road. This has all the makings of an outstanding football game.
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Bears 17
Right now, they are, but both teams have major question marks and neither team would be considered an elite AFC team after two weeks.
Chicago's defense and special teams are every bit as good as they were a year ago, which was good enough for a trip to the Super Bowl. The problem with the Bears is behind center. The Bears have more weapons than ever, but having Rex Grossman delivering the ball is a huge concern. Chicago would waltz into the postseason with a true caretaker quarterback, like Brian Griese or Kyle Orton, but Grossman's pension for misreading coverages and turning the ball over could eventually be enough to derail this train. He has only accumulated 254 passing yards in the first two games. Dallas' defense will throw many different looks at Grossman to force him into uncomfortable situations and when things go wrong, Grossman usually costs his team big.
While not as concerning as having a wildly erratic quarterback, the Cowboys have more than their share of questions on the defensive side of the ball. NT Jason Ferguson is lost for the year and his ability to eat space in the middle of the defense will be sorely missed. His backup, Jeremiah Ratliff, was very effective last week, but that was against an awful Dolphins' offensive line. This week he will have to line up against one of the best centers in the league in Olin Kreutz. Chicago will pound RB Cedric Benson between the tackles and test the interior of Dallas' defense. OLB Greg Ellis and star CB Terence Newman have yet to see the field this season because of injuries that very well could hamper them all year long. This will be a big problem for Dallas, because the depth behind Newman is suspect. Chicago will test the Cowboys' cornerbacks on many occasions this week and could be particularly effective off play-action if Benson is able to establish himself as an interior power runner.
What kind of impact can Tommie Harris have in this game?
It could be argued that Harris is the best player on either team. He is the best upfield, one-gap defensive tackle in the game today. He looks as explosive as ever after recovering from last year's serious hamstring injury. The Bears were very wise to bring him along slowly during the preseason. He anticipated snap counts and showed rare quickness in Week 1 as he disrupted the Chargers' offense on a consistent basis and last week against the Chiefs, he had two sacks. Harris is more important to the Bears' defense than any other player, including the great LB Brian Urlacher. Chicago's Cover-2 scheme is predicated on getting penetration against the run and a consistent pass-rush from its defensive linemen. Many teams run a version of the Cover 2, but none have a three-technique tackle in Harris' class, because true upfield defensive tackles are very difficult to find.
As the three technique, he usually lines up on the outside shoulder of the strongside guard and uses his extreme athleticism to beat a far inferior athlete off the snap. The Cowboys do not have anyone on their offensive line who can handle Harris one-on-one with any degree of consistency. The double teams and added attention that he will surely garner only makes Urlacher and the rest of Chicago's defensive players that much better. Dallas will have to be aware of Harris on every snap and he has the potential to completely disrupt a very good Cowboys' offense.
Under any circumstance, should the Cowboys punt to Devin Hester?
Mat McBriar is one of the best punters in the league, but the answer to this question is very easy. NO! Hester's return ability is one of the few things that Chicago has been able to rely on to score points, as he did against the Chiefs last week. By no means is putting the football in his hands a good idea. Not only is he fast, explosive and quick, but he is also tough and fearless as a punt-catcher. He doesn't shy away from contact and runs with conviction, but is so elusive that he rarely takes big shots. His best asset may be his field vision and he seems to see things a few moves ahead of normal speed and he is extremely confident in his immense abilities.
Bears special teams coach Dave Toub has done a fantastic job with Chicago's special teams in all facets. The Bears certainly deserve the special teams edge in this game and that holds true against any opponent they face. Their specialists are solid and reliable. Plus, their coverage teams are very strong and of course, their returner is simply elite. There is absolutely no reason not to concede a little bit of field position with a shorter punt out of bounds instead of letting Hester field it.
Scouts' Edge
The Scouts Inc. Position Advantage QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
This game has much more to it than the Scouts Inc. Advantage would lead you to believe. Dallas' offense and Chicago's defense are outstanding, but each team has questions on the other side of the ball.
If Newman is fully healthy, which is unlikely, Dallas might match him up on WR Bernard Berrian. This would favor Newman, but if he isn't 100 percent the Cowboys' defense will play a lot more zone-coverage and will be far less aggressive.
The Bears' offense has already turned the ball over six times this season and if that trend continues, their defense and special teams will not be able to bail them out against Dallas' outstanding offense. We don't trust Grossman to make good decisions in a game under the national spotlight, so we take the Cowboys on the road. This has all the makings of an outstanding football game.
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Bears 17
posted by The Gryphon at 8:43 AM
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