NFL Picks Week 2: 10 Bold Predictions for Chicago Bears-Dallas Cowboys Battle
After a tough, wacky loss at Washington on Sunday night, Dallas hosts the Bears this week.
Obviously the Cowboys cannot afford to fall to 0-2, so expect a better effort this week in front of their hometown, Super Bowl-hungry crowd.
The Bears are riding high after their controversial win over Detroit. Can they continue their impressive start and become one of the league's more surprising 2-0 teams?
Here are some predictions about the big showdown in Big D.
No. 10: Jay Cutler Won’t Top 200 Yards Passing
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For all their faults in Week 1, the Dallas defense did a masterful job. Aside from two field goals, Washington was scoreless on offense, and Donovan McNabb failed to complete even half his attempts.
Romo, the triple-threat backfield, Jason Witten, and the trio of fine receivers may be the exciting side of this team. But defense will be the driving force in their Super Bowl run. The secondary is much improved from a year ago, and the pass rush will limit Cutler’s time.
This ain’t the Lions they’re facing in Week 2.
No. 9: Dallas’ Running Game Will Remain Iffy
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The ‘Boys backs will get their yardage, especially via the draw. But when they need to run the ball in the conventional way, they will again struggle.
Last week both Marion Barber and Felix Jones failed to gain even 40 yards on the ground. Each one of them is capable of being a 100-yard-a-game player, but neither found room last week.
The problems with Dallas' running game are well documented, so they get a pass for Week 1. Against the Bears they face another solid front seven. It will be up to Jones and Barber to make something out of nothing.
No. 8: Devin Hester—the Returner—Will Finally Reappear
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It’s been more than three years since Hester returned a kick for a touchdown. Usually that is a terrible sign of a career in decline—remember Dante Hall?
Hester’s reduced production is obviously a result of increased roles on offense and even defense. But he remains one of the most electric special teams players in recent history.
The Cowboys have proven to be the type of disorganized, distractible team to let a special teams play allow their opponent right back in the game. Considering he’ll get at least six opportunities, look for “The Human Joystick” to finally break one.
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No. 7: Tony Romo Will Get the Ball Downfield
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Romo completed 31 passes last week, but none were deep balls. Even Miles Austin’s 31-yarder included some catch-and-run.
The Cowboys ran a handful of plays designed specifically to get the ball to their (hopeful) playmaker, rookie Dez Bryant—mostly short stuff and quick screens.
Bryant is the type of down-the-field threat the Cowboys haven’t had since T.O.’s days of yore. Romo will target Bryant on at least one fade. Expect them to connect.
No. 6: Brian Urlacher Will Make a Big Play
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Because Urlacher missed virtually all of last season, he hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl since 2006. Now 32 years old, the Bears linebacker is somewhat of a forgotten man.
Youngsters like Carolina’s Joe Beason and the 49ers' Patrick Willis have overshadowed the 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. But last week, he made eight tackles in the win over Detroit and recorded a sack as well.
Because the injury that kept him out of 2009 was to his wrist, he is returning to top form; a torn ACL or shoulder injury would probably have a lingering effect on a hard hitter like Urlacher who depends on speed. Look for him to step in front of a Romo pass over the middle or knock a ball loose when the Cowboys try to run off Leonard Davis’ hip.
No. 5: Dallas’ Kicking Woes Halt...At Least for Now
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Aside from most of the tenure of Nick Folk, who joined the Jets this offseason, the Cowboys have not been rock solid in the kicking game since the late 1990s.
In recent years, there was the failed Mike Vanderjagt experiment, along with Martin Gramatica, Shaun Suisham, and Jose Cortez. Even the Billy Cundiff era is marred by the Tony Romo botched snap in the playoffs.
This year might be another filled with wild adventures when the Cowboys try to score three the easy way. Last week David Buehler missed a 34-yarder in the first quarter. But that one was on natural grass and came from a player attempting his first ever NFL placekick.
This week the Boys are at home on the turf, and Buehler will have an easier time delivering when called upon.
No. 4: Greg Olsen Will Lead the Bears in Catches
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Against Detroit, running back Matt Forte was the top producer in Chicago’s passing game, catching seven balls for 159 yards and two touchdowns. But the Cowboys will be locked in Forte, challenging other Bears to get open.
Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Devin Aromashodu are each capable receivers and will contribute as the season goes on. But Cutler is going to need to dump the ball off, over the middle, to his tight end Olsen in order to escape a few jams.
Since the other tight end, Brandon Manumaleuna, is in Lovie Smith’s doghouse for missing team meetings, Olsen will get a few more opportunities to catch the ball.
Last year, the former Hurricane was one of the conference’s better tight ends (60 catches, 612 yards, 80 touchdowns). But he was largely overlooked because of Vernon Davis, the Falcons' acquisition of Tony Gonzalez, and the emergence of Visanthe Shiancoe and Jermichael Finley.
Cutler’s happy with his guy, and the two will connect on eight to 10 passes.
No. 3: The Cowboys' Offensive Line Won’t Be an Issue
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Everyone saw his gaffe on Sunday night, but Alex Barron shouldn’t be the goat for the loss.
It’s pretty tough to assume that the play would have gone exactly the same way had he not tackled Brian Orakpo—and it was the first-half-ending fumble that really cost Dallas the win.
Having said all that, Barron certainly will have his hands full on Sunday against the Bears' front four. Expect Julius Pepper to find his way over to the left side very often. Even if Peppers stays on the other side, Barron has to be ready for a stunt that features Tommie Harris coming to the outside.
Jason Garrett knows all this and will tailor the game plan to both hide and help Barron. The Bears will get to Romo, maybe even bring him down a few times, but look for Dallas to take advantage of Chicago’s over-aggression. Screens and especially draws with Felix Jones will create a handful of long gainers.
No. 2: Matt Forte Won’t Cross the Goal Line—Run or Reception
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How often do you see a player post awesome stats one week only to be shut out the next?
Forte is a quality running back and was a 1,200-yard rusher as a rookie just two years ago. But last week’s 159 yards receiving are a bit deceiving.
Eighty-nine of those yards came on one play. The screen pass from Cutler to Forte worked beautifully, but several Lions players took angles in pursuit, and Forte simply took advantage. Against a better defense (like Dallas), that play likely nets 20 yards, not 89.
Still, even without that first touchdown, Forte posted fine receiving numbers: six catches, 70 yards. But Forte didn’t run the ball particularly well last week, with just 50 yards on 17 carries.
Dallas will no doubt be ready for another screen, and if Forte cannot do more carrying the ball, he won’t have another monster day, and Chicago will have trouble getting into scoring position.
No. 1: Wade Phillips Will Look Befuddled
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At some point in the Fox broadcast, the camera will cut to a shot of Phillips on the sidelines. With the headset on, he’ll look out at the field, mouth slightly agape.
The Cowboys could be up 30 points in the fourth quarter or down by 10. It doesn’t matter. That is Wade’s default position. But Dallas’ easy win over Chicago will limit the number of Phillips' confused stares.
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