NFL Week 8 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 49, Chicago Bears 29

The Dallas Cowboys offense got everything they wanted against the Chicago Bears in a 49-29 victory that took the Cowboys to 6-2 on the season.

Dallas led all teams in the early window in average yards per play (7.8) and expected points added (EPA) per play, and they showed no signs of missing Ezekiel Elliott on the ground as they racked up 131 rushing yards on 14 Tony Pollard carries. The Cowboys have the look of one of the top challengers in an up-for-grabs NFC.

Offensive spotlight: Pollard touched the ball just 15 times despite Elliott’s absence and Dallas playing from the lead throughout. He made those touches count, though. Pollard’s 6.3 yards per carry on the season rank first among running backs with at least 50 carries. Four of his 14 carries against Chicago went for at least 10 yards, and he forced five missed tackles on the ground. Few running backs in the NFL have been more efficient than Pollard over the last three-plus years. 

Defensive spotlight: Jayron Kearse left the field several times due to injury but ended the game having played 71 defensive snaps (third most on the team) and with what will likely end up being his highest PFF grade of the season. Kearse notched two tackles for loss or no gain against the run and a sack, and he wasn’t charged with a reception allowed on 22 coverage snaps on PFF’s first run of analysis.

Rookie spotlight: Rookie left tackle Braxton Jones was charged with just three hurries allowed on 31 pass-blocking snaps in PFF’s initial review of the game. Given the matchup against Dallas — a defense that has gotten pressure at will throughout much of this season — that qualifies as a win for Jones. This performance follows Jones’ best game in pass protection of the season in Week 7 against the Patriots (two pressures allowed). 

Offensive line spotlight: Dak Prescott’s quick release (2.3-second time to throw on average) certainly made life easier on Dallas’ offensive line, but it was still a strong showing for them in pass protection. Prescott was pressured on just six of his 28 dropbacks, and the Cowboys averaged over 2.0 yards before contact per rushing attempt. Admittedly, it won’t get much easier for them this season from a matchup perspective than against a Chicago defensive front now without Robert Quinn. 

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

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