The Chicago Bears are heading into Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys with a defense that has taken serious hits to both their cornerback and linebacker groups. According to reports, several key starters are sidelined, leaving the Bears’ secondary vulnerable and giving Dallas a strong chance to exploit openings both in the air and on the ground. With the Cowboys’ offense firing on all cylinders, Chicago faces an uphill battle at Soldier Field this Sunday.
Last week illustrated just how difficult the task will be. The Detroit Lions rolled past the Bears, 52-21, dropping Chicago to 0-2 while improving Detroit’s record to 1-1. Meanwhile, the Cowboys managed a tight 40-37 win over the New York Giants, evening their season record at 1-1 while sending New York to 0-2. Coming off these results, the Bears will need creative game-planning and pressure schemes to contain quarterback Caleb Williams and slow down the Cowboys’ high-powered attack.
Massive Blows for Chicago Bears
Jaylon Johnson, their top corner, is out for the season following groin surgery after trying but failing to play through the injury last week. Slot corner Kyler Gordon is not expected to play, and Jaylon Jones will also miss the game.
At linebacker, the depth chart is equally thin. T.J. Edwards, signed from the Eagles to be a leader in the middle, is likely unavailable, and his backup is also sidelined. That leaves Tremaine Edmunds and Noah Sewell as the main healthy options, forcing the Bears to rely on untested players in critical roles.
The Timing Could Not Be Worse with Dallas Coming To Town
The Cowboys have weapons across the field and are expected to attack Chicago’s weakened secondary from the start. If CeeDee Lamb draws double coverage, George Pickens could see favorable matchups on the outside, while Tony Pollard and the offensive line are positioned to control the game on the ground.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will need to create pressure on Williams to offset the mismatches. Without it, the Bears run the risk of being overpowered in a game where the Cowboys hold every advantage.
Bears HC Publicly Called Out His Team
The Chicago Bears have more questions than answers, and none of them are about the scoreboard. According to reports, whispers around Halas Hall suggest coach Ben Johnson may be struggling to keep his locker room fully behind him. The Cowboys enter as narrow 1.5-point favorites in a game expected to be a high-scoring shootout, according to Mike Florio.
Johnson, who is still finding his footing as an HC, has come under scrutiny for publicly calling out his team this week, raising concerns that team unity could be fraying.
“I think our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship-caliber team,” he said on Wednesday.
Ben Johnson: “Our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship caliber team” pic.twitter.com/I358LTJO99
— Dave (@dave_bfr) September 17, 2025
NFL On NBC analyst, Florio, saying there is a delicate balance between honesty and overexposure:
“Ben Johnson is having a hard time getting his sea legs as a head coach, and some of the stuff he said this week—Jason Garrett was great on PFT Live about this—you know there’s a certain amount of authenticity you want, but some things you don’t want to be candid about,” Florio said.
Despite questions surrounding morale, some experts are predicting a close, exciting game, with the Bears edging the Cowboys 31-28. Tom Brady will be on the call for the broadcast, and many expect the total score to soar past the 50.5-point mark, making this one of the more compelling primetime matchups of the week.
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