When the Cowboys (6-6) travel to the Bears (6-6) for "Thursday Night Football" (8:20 p.m. ET, Fox, Amazon Prime Video, NFL Network) to open Week 14 of the 2019 NFL season, the game will carry major playoff implications for both sides with only one month left on the schedule.
Dalas needs to win to maintain at least a full-game lead on Philadelphia in the NFC East race. With Chicago faded behind Green Bay and Minnesota in the NFC North, it needs a win to stay alive in the NFL playoff picture.
The Cowboys go in having lost two straight games to AFC East opponents, the Patriots and the Bills. The Bears have won two straight games against two weak NFC teams, the Giants and Lions.
Here's everything to know about betting on Cowboys vs. Bears in Week 14, including updated odds, trends and our expert's prediction for "Thursday Night Football."
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends from Sports Insider
Cowboys vs. Bears odds for 'Thursday Night Football'
- Spread: Cowboys by 3
- Point total: 43.5
- Odds: Cowboys -165, Bears +145
The Cowboys have been road favorites since the end of Week 13, despite the different results of Week 13, when both teams played on Thanksgiving Thursday, giving them each a full week between games. The spread has fluctuated from Cowboys by 2.
Cowboys vs. Bears all-time series
The Cowboys lead the series 15-11. The teams haven't played since '16. The Cowboys have won the past two meetings, 31-17 in Dallas and 41-28 in Chicago. Before that Cowboys two-game winning streak, the Bears won three straight from '10 through '13.
MORE: 'Thursday Night Football' prop bets for Cowboys vs. Bears
Three trends to know
— 63 percent of spread bettors are on the Cowboys and their low number. 55 percent of moneyline bettors also like the Cowboys.
— 56 percent of bettors like the total to go over the low total without the usual Thursday night limitations for both offenses.
— The Cowboys are 7-5 against the spread this season. The Bears are only 3-9 against the spread.
Three things to watch
The true Trubisky?
Mitchell Trubisky has been red-hot of late, finding a bit of groove in more favorable passing matchups. His comeback effort against the Lions (338 yards, 3 TDs, INT) was his best performance of the season. He needs to keep playing well and in rhythm against a suddenly struggling Cowboys defense for the Bears to win.
The Dak attack
The Bears are still a pretty good pass defense despite their drop off from their dominant 2018 season. But their pass rush has been hit-or-miss up front and they will be without a key cornerback, Prince Amukmara, in this game. Prescott has taken the burden of the Cowboys' new explosive offense and played well, so in this one he needs to make big plays without making any little mistakes.
Not-so special teams
The Bears have had trouble making field goals again, this time with Eddy Pineiro. The Cowboys have seen Brett Maher going into a slump, too, and Jerry Jones has called out his punting unit. With some dangerous returners and gunner, there could be either a big play or a big gaffe here that ultimately decides the game.
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Bears outlook | Cowboys outlook
Stat that matters
The Cowboys are 11-2 over the past two seasons when Ezekiel Elliott rushes for 100 or more yards in a game. The Bears have given up more than a century only twice this season, to the Raiders' Josh Jacobs and the Saints' Latavius Murray. Both turned into bad losses.
Cowboys vs. Bears prediction
The Cowboys will need to grind this one out with the better quarterback and more reliable running game. They have seen Prescott play well in cold conditions in hostile environments before and need him to deliver more than ever. He will, while Trubisky will crash down to earth to leave more doubt about his future.
Cowboys 23, Bears 20
