As the NFL season enters the stretch run, two storied franchises are facing critical junctures: the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams have struggled to meet expectations, and with playoff hopes hanging in the balance, questions loom about whether they can dig themselves out of their current holes.
The Bears entered the 2024 season with high hopes, particularly after adding a dynamic rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams and reshaping their offense. However, the optimism has quickly faded, and the Bears now sit at a disappointing .500 record (4-4), struggling to gain consistency on both sides of the ball.
The root of Chicago’s problems is difficult to pinpoint but clear in its impact. The offensive line has been a significant issue, as Williams has faced constant pressure, getting sacked 29 times since Week 1. The lack of pass protection has stifled the rookie quarterback’s growth, and the offensive play calling has failed to maximize the talents of the team’s key players. Despite the addition of new weapons alongside D.J. Moore, the Bears have been inconsistent, with players like tight end Cole Kmet notably underutilized in recent weeks.
Even more troubling, the Bears’ defense, once a potential strength and nearly deemed “Super Bowl worthy,” has also shown cracks. The defense has allowed significant yardage and failed to stop opposing offenses in critical moments, including in recent losses to teams like the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Matt Eberflus, whose job security has been questioned throughout the season, has not been able to fix the issues on either side of the ball.
With the playoff picture tightening and a challenging schedule ahead, the Bears need to find a way to rally in the second half of the season. It’s clear that significant changes are needed, whether it be improved protection for Williams, a restructured offensive game plan, or a defensive unit that can perform in crunch-time situations. At the moment, the Bears are far from contenders, but a strong push could still put them back into the playoff hunt.
While the Bears’ struggles have been largely self-inflicted, the Cowboys’ problems are compounded by a series of unfortunate injuries and dull performances. With a 3-5 record and many questions surrounding quarterback Dak Prescott’s health, Dallas finds itself on the brink of elimination. A recent loss to the Atlanta Falcons highlighted many of the Cowboys’ issues, from costly penalties to ineffective third-down conversions.
Prescott, who has dealt with a hamstring injury, has been inconsistent this season. The offense has lacked rhythm, and despite the presence of key playmakers like CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard, the Cowboys have failed to sustain drives or create explosive plays. Prescott’s injury could further derail an offense already struggling to keep pace with high-scoring teams in the NFC.
In addition to the Cowboys’ play issues is the brutal stretch of games they face in the coming weeks against the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Washington Commanders. If the Cowboys can’t get back on track quickly, they could be facing a losing streak that would effectively end their playoff chances. The Cowboys still have a slim chance to make a push, but they’ll need to clean up self-inflicted mistakes and execute at a much higher level.
For both the Bears and Cowboys, the next few weeks will be critical. The Bears need to fix their offensive line and find more efficient ways to move the ball, in addition to getting their defense back on track from the first couple weeks of the season. The Cowboys need Cooper Rush to step up as quarterback while Prescott endures his likely minimal four-week injury, and its defense to turn things around to give them a shot at keeping pace in the NFC East.
Both teams are facing uphill battles, but it’s far from over. A critical win or loss in the coming weeks could determine if these teams will be playing for a postseason spot or watching from home. The pressure is on, and time will tell if they can rise to the occasion.
