Chicago Bears schedule pits team against Dallas Cowboys Sunday

CHICAGO — Justin Fields is perhaps in his greatest groove but in his second season as Chicago’s quarterback.

Dak Prescott is looking for his subsequent one with the Dallas Cowboys in his second sport again after lacking 5 with a fractured proper thumb.

The Bears face one other robust highway sport towards the Cowboys on a brief week after profitable in New England for the primary time in franchise historical past.

Fields has a shot at his first back-to-back highway victories Sunday after arguably his most full efficiency throughout Monday night time’s 33-14 win over the Patriots.

“It would not actually change my confidence,” Fields stated. “I simply hope it provides us momentum to maintain going, maintain pushing.”

Fields had 82 of Chicago’s 243 yards dashing with a landing and was 13 of 21 for 179 yards passing with a TD and an interception because the Bears (3-4) moved the pocket and used designed QB runs.

Though the previous Ohio State star struggled the earlier sport in a loss to Washington, he had profession highs in completion charge (71.4%) and passer ranking (118.8) in a Week 5 loss to Minnesota.

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“I feel he is clearly taking part in with extra confidence than I recalled final yr,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy stated. “You may see he is a really gifted athlete, could make all of the throws, and I feel like something discovering their candy spot of how you can play him, how he suits with the perimeter gamers.”

Prescott was understandably ragged early in a 24-6 victory over Detroit in his first sport since breaking the thumb on his throwing hand in a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay.

However the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr was 7-of-8 passing with a landing within the fourth quarter because the Cowboys (5-2) pulled away, as soon as once more leaning on one of many league’s greatest defenses.

“I am undoubtedly extra snug in simply having extra reps at it, extra follow reps,” Prescott stated. “This crew can win in lots of alternative ways, and I feel it is simply an opportunity for us to indicate it.”

Prescott now faces the NFL’s No. 2 go protection, though the Bears gave up an essential a part of that group this week by sending defensive finish Robert Quinn to Philadelphia, Dallas’ undefeated NFC East rival.

Though the 32-year-old former Cowboy is off to a sluggish begin with only one sack, Quinn broke Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Richard Dent’s franchise document with 18 1/2 sacks final yr.

“I used to be clearly pleased about it then I discover out the place he went and I went, ‘Uh-oh,’” McCarthy quipped. “We now have lots of respect for Robert. It is not going to vary their protection, so our strategy will not change.”

BANGED-UP ELLIOTT

Cowboys operating again Ezekiel Elliott missed each full practices after spraining his proper knee on a tough hit by Detroit security DeShon Elliott, who later was hurdled by the two-time dashing champ on one other run.

The Dallas again stated he may play with out working towards, however there is a respectable probability Tony Pollard can have the lead position for the second time in his 4 seasons.

The earlier time was the one sport Ezekiel Elliott has missed due to damage in his profession when he had a calf challenge late within the 2020 season.

RUNNING ALONG

The Bears are averaging a league-best 181 yards dashing per sport. It is the primary time since 1990 they’ve held the highest spot by way of Week 7, and their 242 makes an attempt are additionally greater than every other crew this season.

Chicago had its third 200-yard dashing sport of the season towards New England, with matching 62-yard showings from Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery to go together with Fields’ team-leading whole.

Herbert is ninth within the NFL with 464 yards dashing and leads all NFL operating backs with a 6.2-yard common (Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is the general chief).

NEED FOR SPEED

Standout Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons was in the identical draft class with Fields and now could be the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr, spearheading the crew main the NFL in sacks (29).

Parsons faces a problem much like what Jalen Hurts introduced with the Eagles, who beat the defending NFC East champs 26-17 two weeks in the past with the division lead on the road.

After defensive coordinator Dan Quinn confirmed Parsons some clips final week of how Hurts’ offense exploited the second-year star at occasions, Parsons responded, “Problem accepted.”

Parsons responded equally this week when requested by reporters if Fields was even quicker than Hurts.

“None of ’em’s quicker than me, so I do not actually suppose that is an issue,” Parsons stated. “On the finish of day, we simply received to get them to the bottom.”

OFF SCHEDULE

From a mini-bye to a shortened week, the Bears had their routine knocked off observe.

They had been on a condensed schedule getting ready for the Cowboys after having further time to prepare for New England following a Thursday night time loss to Washington.

Coach Matt Eberflus used a few of that further time to organize for Dallas, the place he was an assistant for seven seasons earlier than spending the previous 4 as defensive coordinator at Indianapolis.

“I at all times work again and take a look at the time,” he stated. “In these brief weeks, lengthy weeks, you continue to have the identical period of time, however so long as you suppose forward a little bit bit and put that point ahead … It is essential to do this, however we have at all times finished that since I have been in professional ball.”