The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs and week 3 in Chicago will be no different. The Bears enter this game with a litany of key players injured including their top two defensive backs and are hosting one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Meanwhile, the offensive line continues to be a messy work in progress and the defensive line can’t seem to stop the run.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I figure to be integral
to their respective teams’ success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa.
No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears.
Offense: DJ Moore – WR
With 2nd year standout Rome Odunze among the top statistical leaders league-wide for receptions, yards and TD’s, it appears the Chicago Bears have a new WR1 in town. Even so, DJ Moore is every bit of a WR1 in this league and even in week 1 had more yards on less targets (and catches) than Rome Odunze and remains a big play threat. Against the high-octane Cowboys this week, we need all of our weapons to contribute in order to keep up in what figures to be a high -scoring affair.
Additionally, with the recent comments from head coach Ben Johnson regarding practice habits and his intent to keep players accountable and reward those who are putting forth maximum effort both during the week and on game-day, the much maligned former Panther is once again at a crossroads. I expect him to step up and take advantage of a weak Cowboys secondary. If he can, the Bears have a chance to outpace Dak Prescott and co. If not, the they will either need other weapons to step up, or else Chicago will be looking at their third consecutive loss of the 2025 season.
Defense: Gervon Dexter Sr. – DT
It would be easy to pick Tyrique Stevenson, Jaquan Brisker or even Nahshon Wright in what is largely expected to be an explosive game through the air for both offenses, but I am taking a different approach. Essentially, I do not have hope that our hodge-podge group of DB’s can hang with Ceedee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin. Instead, I will be looking at our DL to apply pressure on Dak Prescott and create some big plays. With new addition Grady Jarrett performing well below expectations after his generous contract and our Edges not getting much in the way of sacks/impact plays combined with the strength of the Dallas OL and injury to their starting center Cooper Beebe, Gervon Dexter Sr. is primed for a grand opportunity to make a game-changing play. Be it a stuff on 3rd and short, a sack to kill a drive or knock Dallas out of field-goal position or a batted ball that leads to an INT, Dexter Sr. needs to have himself a game this week. If he can do that, Chicago should be in position to win the game at the end of the 4th quarter. If he is non-existent like he was last week in Detroit, I do not expect much (if any) resistance slowing down the Cowboys on offense and this one could be out of reach early.
Dallas Cowboys
Offense: George Pickens – WR
The Dallas Cowboys sit at 1-1 having lost a close game to their rival Philadelphia Eagles and won a close game to another rival New York Giants. In their loss, Pickens was targeted 4 times and had 3 catches for 30 yards and no scores while CeeDee Lamb secured 7 of 13 targets for 110 yards. In their win, Pickens was targeted 9 times and had 5 catches for 68 yards and a score while CeeDee secured 9 of 11 targets for 112 yards. Bottom line: CeeDee Lamb will get his yards and do his damage, but if Chicago can mitigate the impact that their new WR2 can have, they have a chance.
Personally, I am eager to see how Dennis Allen attacks the former Steeler. Does he deploy man coverage with the equally feisty Tyrique Stevenson or perhaps the equally long and nimble Nahshon Wright? Or does he stick to more zone concept this week with LB and Safety help? Either way, Pickens will be key. If Chicago can limit his impact or even get in his head to make some bone-headed penalties that hinder Dallas’ field position, they should have a chance. But if Pickens has another big game, I expect Dallas to have too much fire-power for The Beloved at home.
Defense: Jack Sanborn – LB
The former Bears LB returns to the Windy City with his former head coach Matt Eberflus calling plays for his new defense in Dallas. Sanborn had a knack for making big plays whenever he was on the field and I was always a fan. But the real reason he makes this list is because former players always seem to play well against the Bears when they return. Julius Peppers first season as a Packer he had 1 sack, 2 QBH, 1 FF and 1 FR against the Bears. Adrian Amos had 5 tackles and an endzone INT in his first game against the Bears. Leonard Floyd had two sacks in his first game against his former team after being ousted for not getting after the QB enough. The list goes on.
Suffice it to say, both Sanborn and Eberflus will be motivated to put on a showing against Chicago this week. If they do, I have a hard time believing the Bears win at home. If Caleb and co. can avoid costly mistakes and remind us all why we were able to let Sanborn walk in FA, then Chicago should come out on top.
What about you? Which player on both sides will you be focusing on against the Cowboys this week? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 2:
Bears O – Jonah Jackson, RG: Not quite as miserable as he was in week 1, but not nearly good enough in run or pass game to help our offense. Also continued to have an issue with penalties.
Bears D – Tremaine Edmunds, LB: Second on team in tackles and had a nice TFL and was decent in coverage but no impact plays to alter the game.
Lions O – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB: Sliced and diced us on the ground to the tune of 12 carries for 94 yards (7.8ypc) and a TD to go along with 3 catches for 10 yards through the air.
Lions D – Brian Branch, DB: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL 1 pass defensed and 1 QBH. Branch was a menace as feared.
Remember, there’s a near ZERO chance of a Bears win when all 4 players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
