***SWAMPER TNF COWYBOYS VS DAAAA BEARS***

***CHICAGO BEARS +4***

DAAAAAAA BERZ! Tough game to call tonight. I could make a case for either team when it comes down to it. However I will go with my gut and the Monsters of the Midway as Chicago has so much potential firepower that when facing a poor and struggling defense as the Cowboys currently have, they have the ability to put up some major points. Cutler has been garbage lately, that is no question. However, he has faced some pretty tough defenses and has had little protection, hence the sacks and forced throws resulting in turnovers. Tonight I do not see him under that same pressure and having some time in the pocket to pick apart the Dallas secondary redeeming himself amongst the critics a bit. The man has a gun for an arm and can throw it with the best of them if he is on his game. Chicago Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman knows his job is on the line the rest of this season and will be holding nothing back when calling the plays for the offense on prime time tonight. If his future is no longer with Chicago, then hopefully he can strike some interest elsewhere. As mentioned above, Da Berz new version of The Monsters of the Midway are far too talented for the Cowboy defense to handle, and they are frustrated as can be with the way their season has gone. WRs Brandon Marshall who is very vocal about his displeasure thus far, and Cutler's favorite target Alshon Jefferey can have big games tonight as they should be able to dominate the matchup they have against the struggling Cowboy corners. Ex-Cowboy Martellus Bennett is having a great year as Chicago's TE and against his old team tonight I expect Da Berz to have a gameplan featuring him some in this one so he can get his and show Jerry Jones that they made a mistake letting him walk, one I am sure he already is well aware of. Most importantly, Chitown RB Matt Forte, the heartbeat of this offense will be able to get going tonight as well if they utilize him properly, which I think may be the plan after watching what Shady McCoy did for the Eagles last week. I think Da Berz are playing fairly well as of late considering how many injuries they have suffered on the defensive side of the ball. Last week they came out very strong against Detroit putting up a couple of scores in the first quarter, and then Detroit made some adjustments and QB Matt Stafford got in the zone as he slinged the rock all over the field utilizing all the weapons at his disposal. Once they pulled ahead, and Chicago was forced to play "catch-up" ball, arguably one of the best defensive lines in the game were able to pin their ears back and come after Cutler. Once that was the case, that was all she wrote. Some may say Chicago has "packed it in" at this point in the season when watching the last three quarters of that game but I don't think so. I just think they need a spot like tonight to use to right the ship. A Prime Time game at cold Soldier Field against a weak defense could be just what the doctor ordered and I firmly believe that they are well aware of this and will take advantage of it.

Dallas in December is historically bad. Now I am not one to talk about past seasons and history when capping a current game as I believe all that has very little to do with the situation at hand, but when weighing the pressure on both of these teams right now, one can see that the scale is tipped much more toward the Cowboys. They started this season lights out and I believe peaked early on beatin the Seahawks in Seattle. As the season progressed we have seen that the Seahawks who are a good team, are not the same dominant force that they were last season and can be beaten. That being said Dallas is playing for their playoff lives with a big date in Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football next weekend hanging over their heads, while Chicago are all but elminated from the playoff picture. Chitown knows they have to win-out the rest of the season and even then, probably won't have much of a chance to get a Wildcard spot in the crowded playoff race, but that doesn't mean they won't try to do just that and hope for the best. Their season is not dead, and if they lose tonight, well then that was expected and no harm no foul. The Cowboys cannot afford to lose a game that they are expected to win because of how well they started the season. They have set themselves up for an ultimate let-down and dissapoitment that their front office won't ever hear the end of this offseason if they do not at least make the playoffs. Dallas will try to stick with what worked for them early on and run the ball with Murray to control the clock however I believe that they will be forced to abandon this gameplan early on when DA BERZ start to put up points and they have no choice but to throw to keep up. This is when I think anything can happen and this one will be a second half shootout and close either way. That being said, I will take DA BERZ and the points. Sorry for the book, I didn't plan on writing that much. Enjoy the game everybody, and be sure to come back Sunday for the Muck 5. Swampy Loves Ya!