Game 3 @ CHI......SUNDAY NIGHT

Post #1 » by **boogiesdad** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:42 am

With Tony Romo again playing like a Pro Bowler, the Dallas Cowboys have established one of the top offenses in the league.

Rex Grossman and the Chicago Bears offense are stumbling, but the team's vaunted defense looks as stingy as ever.

The Cowboys look to continue their impressive start when they visit Chicago on Sunday night in an early matchup of two of the NFC's top teams.

After defeating the New York Giants 45-35 in its season opener, Dallas beat Miami 37-20 last Sunday. The Cowboys (2-0) lead the league with 82 points, their highest total after two games since 1971 (91).

They have gained the fourth-most yards in the league (830) and have won their first two games for the first time since 1999, when they started 3-0 but finished 8-8.

"You can't crown us champions right now," safety Ken Hamlin said. "It's only the second week of the season."

Romo has been a big reason for Dallas' fast start, showing no ill-effects from the bobbled snap that cost the Cowboys a chance for a playoff victory last season in Seattle.

Romo leads the NFC with a 119.3 quarterback rating, throwing for 531 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He's been sacked twice and has turned seven runs into 47 yards and a touchdown.

"He made some scrambles that you don't see many people make, Brett Favre-ish," first-year coach Wade Phillips said. "He made some really outstanding plays and he's still looking downfield all the time. That's what really amazes me about him. A lot of guys, they can get away from people at times but they don't see what's going on. He sees receivers."

Just as he did last year when he took over as the starter in mid-season and ended up making the Pro Bowl, Romo has a good chemistry going with Terrell Owens. The brash wideout had five receptions for 97 yards and a TD against the Dolphins, and leads the team with eight catches for 184 yards and three scores.

Marion Barber has been powering the Cowboys' ground game, rushing for 154 yards and three TDs on 25 attempts after leading the NFC with 14 rushing touchdowns last year. He could start taking carries away from Julius Jones, who was held to 32 yards on 15 attempts last week.

Neither of Dallas' first two wins came against teams which had winning records last season, leaving this contest as easily its biggest test to date.

The defending NFC champion Bears (1-1) have allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league (24) and the fifth-fewest yards (544).

They defeated Kansas City 20-10 in their home opener last Sunday for their 13th win in 15 regular-season games at Soldier Field, holding 12 of those opponents to 10 or fewer points.

Chicago's rush defense has proven to be especially tough, shutting down the league's top two rushers from last season. The Bears held the Chiefs' Larry Johnson to 55 yards on 16 attempts after limiting reigning league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson to 25 yards on 17 carries in their season-opening 14-3 loss at San Diego.

While the Bears defense again ranks among the best in the league, the offense has gained the third-fewest yards (441) and has scored the fourth-fewest points (16).

Grossman was 20-of-34 for 160 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City, but was intercepted twice.

The highly criticized quarterback has three INTs and a fumble, as the Bears have turned the ball over seven times -- tied with Detroit for most in the league. This could lead to problems against the Cowboys defense, which is tied with Minnesota for the league lead with five interceptions.

"I don't think you make any calls based on what you've done after two games," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said. "I think you need to go into the first quarter (of the season) a little bit. I think from the first to the second game, hopefully, you can see some improvement then. It doesn't always work that way. We are taking steps. ... I say give us a little more time. Hopefully, it'll be this week."

Chicago's best scoring threat has been returner Devin Hester, who had a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown last week and set up a field goal with another long return.

Hester, who also had a 95-yard touchdown return negated by a holding penalty, now has seven touchdown returns in his 18-game career and is one shy of Gayle Sayers' team record.

Cedric Benson showed some improvement, carrying 24 times for 101 yards against the Chiefs after being held to 42 yards on 19 attempts at San Diego. He has gained 210 yards on 37 carries in his last two home games.

"We're just not there," Smith said. "It's still early in the year. We made progress offensively this past week, getting our running game going. The next phase will be to bring the passing game along."

The Cowboys and Bears have not met since Thanksgiving Day 2004, as Jones ran for 150 yards and two TDs on 33 attempts in Dallas' 21-7 victory.

These teams have alternated wins in their last five meetings, but Chicago has won the last three matchups at Soldier Field.

FROM ESPN.COM

Minhee · Post #2 » by **Minhee** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:15 am

Very tough game indeed, this will be our first test to see if the boys are for real. Let's Go boys!

I have a problem with the possibility of the Fakeskins being in 1st at 3-0 after this Sunday.

SMRattler · Post #3 » by **SMRattler** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:19 pm

The part that worries me most out of all of that is the Bear's rush defense. OVerall their defense looks incredibly tough, but I think that rush defense is where it starts. They take away the run and force you to pass. And they're solid in the pass rush and coverage. As the game gets tighter and later, that's when opponents look to force things in the pass game and that's when that defense gets their takeaways. And they get TONS of takeaways, ESPECIALLY in the red zone.

Are we going to settle for a bunch of field goals? Are we going to force it and get turnovers in the red zone? Or do we become a rare team that can be efficient down there on them?

Those turnovers and punt returns (look out) are what shorten the field and allow that sorry offense to win games.

It starts with that running game. I think our line is underated, espeically in the run game. I think we should be able to wear down any team, we're huge. So, one of those irresistable force vs immoveable objects?

SMRattler · Post #4 » by **SMRattler** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:21 pm

If we stick to our running game and wear them down a little bit, we'll be fine. We get 20 points, don't give them short field with turnovers and special teams returns, we win.

Post #5 » by **boogiesdad** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:54 pm

I agree 20 points is the key. The Bears cant score unless its on defense or special teams.

That being said:

1. Barber needs 20 carries.
2. Our TE's need to establish the middle.
3. Our WR's need to establish the post and out routes.
4. Our LB's and Roy need to commit to the Blitz. The pressure will push Grossman out of the Pocket and he's done.

Jasen777 · Post #6 » by **Jasen777** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:45 pm

It's likely to come down to turnovers.

Minhee · Post #7 » by **Minhee** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:52 pm

Tony Romo faces his toughest test by far tonight, he has to avoid turning that ball over and unless we force Rex Grossman to do his trademark turnover, it won't look good for us.

NeedsMoreCheese · Post #8 » by **NeedsMoreCheese** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:54 am

I **** hate this 2 and long run ****.

God why must we get a reciever with a **** up finger every year?

Minhee · Post #9 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:59 am

Romo with the game's first interception, not looking good so far. On the verge of being down 10-0.

Don't blame Crayton on that play, blame that idiot Flozell for making a stupid false start. That guy has one or two false start every single game. Penalty will kill this team.

Minhee · Post #10 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:00 am

Hell Yeah!!!! Right when I was typing that last post, I jinxed Grossman. Grossman with his first interception.

Ok I need to be more negative on us.

Minhee · Post #11 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:14 am

Ok I am pretty positive the Refs are gambling tonights game. That is 2 BS call in a row.

NeedsMoreCheese · Post #12 » by **NeedsMoreCheese** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:16 am

And no call on the interference that held up crayton there.
When did Donaghy become an NFL ref?

Post #13 » by **Flaming Mo** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:20 am

Minhee wrote:Ok I am pretty positive the Refs are gambling tonights game. That is 2 BS call in a row.

Just what I thought... just terrible, terrible calls...

Minhee · Post #14 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:32 am

Patrick Crayton Sucks!!! I know he has a broken finger but he still sucks. How the hell can you drop that TD?? He just cost us the momentum and this FG to be blocked!!!

OMG Patrick Crayton probably just cost us the game. Now we are going to be trailing 10-3 at Halftime. Thanks a lot Patrick.

NeedsMoreCheese · Post #15 » by **NeedsMoreCheese** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:36 am

First the INT, now a dropped TD. Damn Crayton is our Rex Grossman.

Minhee · Post #16 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:41 am

Luckily we don't have a Crayton on defense...yet at least. We should be up 10-3 right now.

NeedsMoreCheese · Post #17 » by **NeedsMoreCheese** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:44 am

Minhee wrote:Luckily we don't have a Crayton on defense...yet at least. We should be up 10-3 right now.

Shhhhhhhh Roy might hear you.

NeedsMoreCheese · Post #18 » by **NeedsMoreCheese** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:45 am

Oh FFS

Minhee · Post #19 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:46 am

Seriously How idiotic are our players??? Flozell with 2 boneheaded penalties, Roy Williams with a stupid horse colar when the guy was pretty much out of bounds.

Minhee · Post #20 » by **Minhee** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:47 am

I will flip a switch if they score on this hail mary.