CHICAGO – The Cowboys had a great opening to this game, scoring on offense and getting a turnover on defense. From there, it was straight downhill, just like the way this season has gone with a third straight loss dropping them below .500 for the first time this year.
Let's focus on a handful of plays that might go unnoticed but affected the outcome. Here are the five you can't forget about:
Jourdan Lewis’ INT – While the Cowboys finally got a turnover, breaking a streak of four games without one, the Jourdan Lewis interception didn't really help that much. In fact, considering the turnover pinned the Cowboys offense inside their own 1-yard line, it put the Bears in position to get the ball back in great field position. They got the ball after a punt on their own 49, and marched down the field for a game-tying touchdown.
"D-Law" drawn offsides – After a sack by Darian Thompson pushed the Bears back to third-and-9 at their own 45-yard line, an offside penalty by DeMarcus Lawrence gave Chicago another possession after an incomplete pass. On third-and-4, Tarik Cohen then caught a pass in the flat for 6 yards to move the chains. On the next play, the Bears caught the defense with a screen pass for 30 yards to set up a touchdown moments later.
Olawale and Dak Out of Sync – In the second quarter, the Cowboys trailed 10-7 but were on the move thanks to a long run by Ezekiel Elliott. But on third-and-4 at the 24-yard line, Dak Prescott tried to hit fullback Jamize Olawale out of the backfield. Playing in the game with Tony Pollard out, Olawale wasn't on the same page with Prescott, who threw the ball quick to the flat. But Olawale never turned back, instead running a wheel route to the end zone. Of course, the Cowboys tried a field goal on the next play and Brett Maher missed from 42 yards out.
Bennett penalty moves the chains – While Michael Bennett collected another sack in the game, he also had another offside call that resulted in a first down. Chicago faced third-and-2 at the Dallas 49-yard line with 2:21 left in the second quarter. Bennett jumped early and gave the Bears a new set of downs. From there, Chicago went straight down the field for another score just before the half, extending its lead to 17-7. Without the penalty, the Cowboys needed a stop, but could've at least got the ball with a chance to drive for a tying field goal or perhaps a touchdown.
Patterson breaks loose – On the first drive of the third quarter, the Cowboys desperately needed to get off the field and had Chicago on a third-and-9 from the its 34-yard line. A short pass to Cordarrelle Patterson should've gone for about 5 yards, but he shook several defenders in the open field and rumbled for 33 yards down to Cowboys' 33. That set up Chicago for another touchdown to take a commanding 24-7 lead.
