Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys will try to capitalize on the Chicago Bears being shorthanded and get above .500 in a compelling Sunday Night Football betting matchup. The Cowboys are seven-point favorites against the Bears – who face a choice about whether to have QB Jay Cutler play with a sprained thumb – with a total of 44.5.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
The scenario – no Cutler, and star Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (knee) possibly limited – seems tailor-made for Dallas, which is off to a 1-1 start. However, the Cowboys are only 2-10-2 against the spread in their last 14 home games at AT&T Stadium. They are 9-1 straight-up and 1-9 ATS in their last 10 home games where they were favored by at least 6.5 points.
The visiting team is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games in this matchup.
Prescott, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten and slot WR Cole Beasley are matched against a Bears pass defense that ranks in the middle of the pack statistically. Chicago, which relies on veteran CB Tracy Porter and CB Kyle Fuller, is not particularly deep in the secondary.
That could create opportunity for both Bryant and No. 2 WR Terrance Williams, who was a non-factor during Dallas’ Week 2 win against the Washington Redskins. The Bears have not done well at stopping tight ends, which could help Witten have a big day.
Dallas was not picked to defeat Washington. The Cowboys are 5-2 SU in their last seven games after winning as an underdog.
Chicago, off to an 0-2 start, could be going with either less than 100 per cent Cutler or backup QB Brian Hoyer. Jeffery’s health is a concern, but WR Kevin White is showing strong potential of being a future No. 1 wide receiver. Veteran Eddie Royal also provides depth.
The Bears are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games. Chicago had to quickly junk their running game after falling behind early in each of their losses, but Dallas is allowing 4.6 yards per rush. If given regular opportunity, the blocking trio of C Cody Whitehair, LG Josh Sitton and RG Kyle Long have a strong chance of opening holes for RB Jeremy Langford.
The total has gone over in the last five Bears-Cowboys games. The total has gone under in four of the Cowboys’ last five games against teams with losing records.
