Commercial Content 21+

Our NFL betting writer offers predictions and picks for the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears airing Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Chicago surprisingly smacked the New England Patriots on Monday and utilized quarterback Justin Fields in new ways to get the job done. But the Bears must beat the NFL’s top-ranked defense and find a way to deal with the Cowboys’ healthy offensive weapons.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott wants to take a swing at playing but a knee injury, plus a bye to aid recovery next week, could mean rest is in order. That opens the door for Tony Pollard, who had 12 carries for 83 yards last week against the Lions but has never topped 14 carries in a game.

Dallas figures to go with a ball-control script long enough to let its stingy defense, second in the NFL at under 15 points per game allowed, to set the tone. That’s a tough task for quarterback Justin Fields despite two solid performances over the past three weeks.

The Bears have three games with 200-plus rushing yards and the path to winning another road game invites more of the same. But the Cowboys’ aggressive front and new defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins stand as a steep challenge for a Chicago team turning to its backup center this week due to Lucas Patrick’s injury.

What the Bears lack are the outside playmakers to punish teams for stacking eight in the box. New England didn’t have success despite knowing what was coming and was confounded repeatedly by Fields getting outside of the tackles.

The Cowboys are demons in pursuit and don’t let teams gain early momentum.

Bears under 16.5 total points (Caesars)

Chicago subtracted top pass rusher Robert Quinn in a trade with the Eagles this week. Quinn had been double-teamed on more than 60 percent of opponent pass plays, and there is no other accomplished commodity that concerns the Cowboys on Sunday.

That opens the playbook and weakens the Bears’ front seven significantly. The play is a ball-control statement from the Cowboys early before taking shots that put the Bears on skates.

Fields and the Bears are not equipped for a major comeback, but did throw a scare into the Vikings after falling behind by two-plus scores in Minnesota.

Cowboys to cover -5.5 first half (Caesars)

Dallas pressures quarterbacks at an NFL-high 40.2 percent (dropbacks only) and has 29 sacks this season, led by Micah Parsons with eight. The Cowboys are also stingy giving up points, allowing eight touchdowns in seven games this season.

Fields has more responsibility within the scheme of the Bears, but offensive coordinator Luke Getsy won’t put the weight of the game on the second-year quarterback’s passing arm.

Justin Fields under 164.5 passing yards (Caesars)

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, accurate at the time of publishing and subject to change.