The Cowboys-Bears game is the premier matchup this Sunday featuring a 2-0 Dallas team against a Chicago team that went to the Super Bowl last year. The Bears are built around a strong running game and a punishing defense while the Cowboys have displayed an explosive offense during their first two games.

But this game will be decided by the quarterbacks. Or, more accurately, which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes. Rex Grossman has been very inconsistent during his short career. He threw almost as many interceptions (20) as touchdowns (23) last year. And Tony Romo is known for taking a few gambles each game, which is something a hungry Bears defense feeds on.

Keys for Chicago

The Bears must win the battle at the line of scrimmage. It is important to shut down Julius Jones and Marion Barber to make Dallas one-dimensional, but with Terrell Owens and Pro-Bowl tight end Jason Witten ready to take advantage of any 8-man fronts, the Bears will have to shut down the running game without stacking the line of scrimmage.

Cedric Benson is the key on the offensive side of the ball. Benson has not found much running room in the first two games having rushed for only 143 yards and no touchdowns. He’ll need to reverse that trend to give the Bears an opportunity to win this game.

Keys for Dallas

Stop Cedric Benson and beware of Devin Hester. If the Cowboys can bottle Benson up and limit his yards it will put more pressure on Grossman to make something happen, and Grossman has shown a propensity toward making ill-advised throws when the game is on his shoulders. Punter Matt McBriar will also need to kick shorter, higher punts instead of just booming it into the arms of the most dangerous returner in football.

On offense, Romo will need to play conservatively. Chicago lives by making teams turn the ball over, so throwing into double-coverage and holding the ball haphazardly in one hand while scrambling will give the Bears defense on opportunity to do what they do best.

My Prediction

Dallas 17 Chicago 9

I expect to see some turnovers by both teams, but Dallas has the offense to take advantage of them.