In a potential NFC Championship Game preview, the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys travel to Soldier Field on Sunday night to face the 1-1 Chicago Bears, with Chicago -3 on WagerWeb.com.
The Cowboys' offense has shredded the Giants and Dolphins, and Dallas leads the league with 82 points, their highest total after two games since 1971 (91). The Cowboys have gained the fourth-most yards in the league (830) and have won their first two games for the first time since 1999.
"You can't crown us champions right now," safety Ken Hamlin said. "It's only the second week of the season."
Tony Romo has made an early case as the NFL MVP, throwing for six TDs in the first two games, and he leads the NFC with a 119.3 quarterback rating. He has even rushed seven times for 47 yards and a touchdown.
"He made some scrambles that you don't see many people make, Brett Favre-ish," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said of his quarterback's play in last week's 37-20 win in Miami. "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."
The Bears, meanwhile, have issues at quarterback with Rex Grossman, who is averaging only 4.46 yards an attempt. The highly criticized QB 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."
The defending NFC champion Bears 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.
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). Chicago is averaging just 11.5 points, about half as much as last season, although Cedric Benson is coming off the second 100-yard rushing game of his career. Chicago's time of possession is one of the NFL's worst at 27 minutes, 59 seconds a game.
Chicago's best threat is kick returner Devin Hester, but you can bet Dallas will be kicking out of bounds or pop-ups to keep the ball out of Hester's hands. The Bears' offense should get a boost with rookie tight end Greg Olsen set to make his regular-season debut.
Dallas hasn't beaten Chicago in a regular-season game on the road since 1984, and look for that to continue. As good as Romo has been, the Bears' defense will be up to the task, and "Good Rex" will show up Sunday night as Chicago makes an early-season statement.
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