Bears vs. Cowboys — What to Watch 4

Key matchup

The Bears’ offensive line is coming off of one of its best games, but that was against the Lions without Damon Harrison. This time it’s the Cowboys, who have much more firepower with defensive ends Robert Quinn (9.5 sacks), DeMarcus Lawrence (five sacks) and Michael Bennett (5.5 sacks).

That presents a challenge in particular for Bears left tackle Charles Leno and right tackle Cornelius Lucas. Leno has struggled to reach his 2018 level this season and has been hot-and-cold at best. Lucas played well against the Lions in place of Bobby Massie, who is out again with an ankle injury. But that was the Lions. This is the Cowboys. Lucas will be under the microscope in this one.

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The Bears have won three of their last four games, but they’re not exactly coming into this one with an irrepressible wave of momentum — the three victories were over the Lions (3-8-1) and Giants (2-10) at Soldier Field and the Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day. When the Bears won three of four games to start the season (against the Broncos, Redskins and Vikings), they lost their next four games. So . . .

The Cowboys seem like a step up in class with an offense that ranks first in the NFL in yards per play and eighth in points and a defense that ranks ninth in yards per play and eighth in points allowed. But they’re 6-6 and have yet to beat a team that has a winning record.

So since Week 4, the Bears and Cowboys — two teams that started the season with Super Bowl hopes — are 6-10, with five of the victories coming against the Giants and Lions.

Players to watch

With cornerback Prince Amukamara doubtful with a hamstring injury, Kevin Toliver and nickel cornerback Buster Skrine figure to play bigger roles this week.

Toliver, an undrafted free agent from LSU in 2018, has played just three snaps on defense this season. He was effective as a replacement for Amukamara against the Cardinals and Buccaneers last year. But that’s when the Bears’ pass rush was in prime form and made his job a little easier.

Toliver might not have that cover this time. As well as the defense has played this season, the pass rush has been lacking without Akiem Hicks. So he could be put on the spot against the No. 1 passing offense in the league.

X-factor

The Bears actually have a decent shot at the playoffs if they can sweep their final four games, but that’s a tall order, with only one quality win all season (against the Vikings at home in Week 4). This is their last chance to turn it up a notch and reach a level that was expected of them all season.