Dallas (6-6) at Chicago (6-6)
When: Thursday, December 5th, 2019
Where: Soldier Field,
Chicago, Illinois
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Dallas -3/43.5
Playing a Thursday game can be tough on teams throughout the season, especially the road team, but this week’s Thursday night affair pits two squads that will be on a full week of rest. The Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears both played on Thanksgiving and are in desperate need of a win to stay in the playoff hunt. It’s quite possible neither Dallas nor Chicago makes the playoffs this winter – especially the Bears. The Cowboys might be able to win the weak NFC East with just a .500 record. If Dallas doesn’t make the playoffs, Coach Jason Garrett will not be back in 2020. In fact, most reports hint that Garrett is out unless Dallas reaches the Super Bowl. Owner Jerry Jones has been patient enough. The Cowboys fell to 6-6 with a 26-15 home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Turkey Day, while the Bears escaped with a 24-20 win at Detroit. The Cowboys have won the past two meetings with the Bears, but the teams haven’t played since 2016. Dallas QB Dak Prescott (248 yards passing, rushing TD) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (140 yards rushing with a TD) helped the Cowboys to a 31-17 win as rookies. The over has cashed in each of the last six meetings.
Jones called out the coaching staff following a Week 12 loss at New England, but Dallas was even sloppier last Thursday with two turnovers – both by Prescott – and two missed field goals by Brett Maher. Tight end Jason Witten was a bright spot with six catches for 42 yards and a score and is now tied for the second-most career receiving TDs in Cowboys history with 71 and became just the fourth player in NFL history (second tight end) with 1,200 career receptions. Dallas has the No. 1 offense in the league at 432.8 yards per game, despite a disastrous last two weeks. Prescott has passed for an NFL-best 3,788 yards, but he could not get his team in the end zone at New England and repeatedly came up empty after scoring on the opening drive versus Buffalo. Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for only one touchdown in his last five games following a stretch of four in a row with a score. Amari Cooper also has been held out of the end zone in three straight but did have eight catches for 85 yards last week. The Cowboys, who are 4-9 ATS in their past 13 Thursday games, rank eighth in overall defense (321.6).
Chicago struggled to win last Thursday despite the Lions having to use third-string QB David Blough, an undrafted free agent, due to injuries to their top two signal-callers (Stafford, Driskel). Mitchell Trubisky had three TD passes against Detroit and a season-high 338 yards, but hasn’t done anything against the rest of the league after torching the Lions twice. Trubisky has as many three-touchdown games against Detroit (three) as he has against all other teams over the past two seasons. Wideout Anthony Miller had nine catches for 140 yards, including three crucial grabs on the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, while fellow wideout Allen Robinson added eight receptions for 86 yards and a score. The defense ranks seventh overall (319.7 yards) and against the run (97.5). Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its past 10 on Thursday and will be at Green Bay next Sunday.
Boy, talk about two tams I hate betting on. There’s no short-rest factor in this Thursday game, but I still favor the home team. The Cowboys haven’t been able to get the offense moving the past few weeks, and I don’t see them turning it around all of the sudden against this Chicago defense.
Pick: Bears +3 (More Week 14 Free Picks)
Cowboys are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Cowboys are 21-8-1 ATS in their last 30 games on grass.
Cowboys are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Thursday games.
Cowboys are 5-12-2 ATS in their last 19 games in Week 14.
Cowboys are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in December.
Bears are 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Bears are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games.
Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.
Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Bears are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Bears are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Cowboys last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 9-2 in Cowboys last 11 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 9-2 in Cowboys last 11 vs. NFC.
Under is 13-3 in Cowboys last 16 games in December.
Over is 6-2 in Cowboys last 8 road games.
Over is 8-3 in Cowboys last 11 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 10-4 in Cowboys last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Under is 17-8 in Cowboys last 25 games on grass.
Under is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games in December.
Under is 8-1 in Bears last 9 home games.
Under is 12-2 in Bears last 14 games on grass.
Under is 5-1 in Bears last 6 games overall.
Under is 5-1 in Bears last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 9-2 in Bears last 11 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 vs. NFC.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
