Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears Betting Preview

After losing their last two games in disappointing fashion, the 6-6 Dallas Cowboys head to Soldier Field for Thursday Night Football to do battle with the 6-6 Chicago Bears. In what has seemingly been a disappointing season for both teams, they meet up with the same record. Unlike the recent luck of Dallas, the Bears have won three of their last four, including two divisional games against the Lions.
While their records are the same, for our purposes, these have been two teams at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Dallas is 7-5 against the spread this season, while Chicago has covered less than any team in the league. The Bears are an NFL worst 3-9 against the spread. The Cowboys are also 4-2 ATS on the road, 3-2 on the road when they are favored. They are favored by three in this one, with the over/under set at 43.5.
An Emotional Week
After the Cowboys’ loss to the Bills on Thanksgiving, a miniature catastrophe ensued. Fans and the media started calling for Jason Garrett’s job again, and rightfully so. Loud and emotional yelling was heard by the media coming from the Cowboys locker room after the game, and an emotional Jerry Jones said he’s still behind Garrett in a postgame interview.
While off the field, there is always drama around “America’s Team,” on the field, their play has seemed a bit lackadaisical lately. Even after losing three of their last four, on paper, their stats should spell wins, but they haven’t lately.
The Cowboys still rank pretty high in the NFL in many statistical categories across the board. They need to utilize Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott a lot more, play into their strengths. Silly mistakes, drops, turnovers have been the things that have cost Dallas football games.
Stacked On One Side
You can’t talk about the Bears without mentioning their highly-ranked and extremely impressive defense. The Bears only allow 17.3 points per game, good for fourth in the league. They only allow 16 per game at home. The issues with the Bears have been the same old song. Throwing, kicking, and coaching.
Mitch Trubisky on paper looks like quite the game manager, not much more than that, but that’s where his numbers are. Watching him manage is a different story, and Bears fans have been questioning whether he’s the guy for a while. Matt Nagy has to figure out how to play into Trubisky’s game. Let your backs manage the clock, run play action, roll him out, and get away from keeping him in a deteriorating pocket.
Taking Back the Reins
The difference in how 6-6 feels for both of these teams is likely not significant. Sitting at .500 after 12 games is not great for playoff hopes for teams that were supposed to contend. The difference on paper is a Grand Canyon, though. Dallas’ 6-6 is good for first place in the NFC East, Chicago’s is only good for third in the NFC North.
Nonetheless, Dallas is favored for good reason and should be favored by more, in my opinion. The Cowboys get back on track at Soldier Field, winning and covering the spread.