That's three nationally televised games for the Bears in the last four weeks. I realize they were a playoff team last year, but were they expected to be this interesting? Hoping I won't need to write about them again for a while. That said, they certainly played well last night.
Mitchell Trubisky:
Some not nice things have been said about T-Biscuit here. It was easy to dismiss his good numbers against the Lions, because everyone is doing that. But he certainly had big numbers against a legit top-10 pass defense last night -- or at least, it's been that for most of the season. Clearly it missed Leighton Vander Esch, because there were plays open over the middle all night long. Trubisky did throw an awful red-zone interception; great defensive play, but I don't know what the quarterback was thinking on that throw. And he got fortunate on a couple of other tight-window throws. But credit where it's due: he made some great throws and great reads, too.
Seemed pretty clear that what opened things up for him was his running, which he did way more than in any other game all season. The question is, where has that been? It's a strength, and as we've seen across the league, it takes defenses off-guard, and confuses them. Imagine if he'd been doing it all year. He'd be a better fantasy quarterback, and the Bears might be 9-4 instead of 7-6.
Dak Prescott:
Boy that was an awesome opening touchdown drive he led. Making great throws and choices, converting a bunch of third downs, looking like he was ready to carry the team to victory. And...Dallas didn't score again all half. There was a missed field goal, sure, but suddenly Prescott was skipping balls in the dirt and sailing it over receivers' heads. He finished with great numbers, thanks to garbage time; he's going to probably be a 5,000-yard passer, unlikely though that seems. And Dallas is 6-7 and won't necessarily win either of its next two games (home versus the Rams, at Philadelphia).
Ezekiel Elliott:
Elliott looked pretty good. Had his longest run of the season, scored a couple of touchdowns. Not used as much in the passing game as you'd have thought with Tony Pollard inactive. There was a comical play where Prescott threw a pass to Jamize Olawale streaking downfield, comical because fullback wasn't looking for it, it nearly hit him in the butt. But no one is complaining who started Elliott last night.
David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen:
Montgomery finished with 80 yards on the ground, but it's weird they don't use him more. Not in the red zone, not enough in the passing game. He's a talented back who they could get more out of, if they wanted to. Tarik Cohen is their preferred passing down back, and that's fine; he's got lots of big play ability. I had to start him (in a playoff game) last night, and I'm not complaining about his 9 points. But that was strictly because he caught 6 meaningless passes; little 2 and 3-yard gains where he got dropped in his tracks. Serviceable PPR game, but useless to the Bears. On the second Allen Robinson touchdown, I think Cohen was either the primary or secondary read, but Dallas put a linebacker on Robinson so it was easier to go there. Could have had a better day, but the Bears don't seem to know what they want to do with their running backs.
Bears wideouts:
Great game for Allen Robinson. Starting against me in a playoff game, unfortunately. He could have had a third touchdown, had he not been held. Right before his second score, there were two plays run for Javon Wims, the No. 3 with Taylor Gabriel in active. Nice throws, near catches, broken up by the defender on good plays (maybe Wims should have secured one). But I'll give him a break, because he got injured on the second play. Anthony Miller also scored, he's on a nice run now that the team is actually using him. Again: why did they wait so long? This is a 7-6 team that could be better.
Cowboys wideouts:
A late Amari Cooper touchdown saved his day. Maybe that knee isn't right, because he really didn't have a good game. Only garbage-time worked out. Michael Gallup went over 100 yards. Randall Cobb was quiet. Prescott was a little off for much of this game, so I think you were fortunate to get much out of anyone. Some credit due the Bears defense.
Tight ends:
I almost picked up Jesper Horsted in my dynasty league. Just as well I didn't, because J.P. Holtz was divvying up the production. Both played about half the time and split targets and catches almost right down the middle. Both guys also more involved than highly paid Trey Burton and highly drafted Adam Shaheen have been for two seasons, hmm. I don't think the Bears will regularly pass for this many yards or either guy will be featured, so I'm not running to the waiver wire.
For Dallas, it's fair to wonder what kind of year Blake Jarwin might have had if Jason Witten had stayed retired. Jarwin made a really nice catch to pick up a third down; looked good out there, on a couple of catches of off-target throws. Neither here nor there since Witten is still out there muddying up the box score with unproductive catches. Maybe next year for Jarwin.
Miscellaneous:
Brett Maher missed another field goal for Dallas. Was costly too, since after the miss (which would have tied the game at 10-10) Chicago ultimately scored to go up 17-7, taking Dallas out of what game plan they were going with. I think. Maher won't necessarily be with the team a week from now.
Report as I write this that Jason Garrett will finish out the season as head coach. Well yeah, there's three weeks left and the team is still in first place in the NFC East, of course. But he's gone after the season, and I think most (all?) of the offensive and defensive coaching staff is gone too. No arguing the team has underachieved in an NFC East that seems to be as weak as it's ever been.