2. The defensive backups continue to rise to the occasion
Injuries have ravaged the Bears defense recently, but the unit is still playing at a high level thanks to a few key backups. Inside linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, filling in for Roquan Smith, who exited with a pectoral injury, didn’t miss a beat and totaled 6 tackles, including 1 for a loss.
Inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski continues to show he probably should be a starter in this league, leading the Bears in tackles with 10 and slowing down the Cowboys’ running game led by running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Cornerback Kevin Toliver, starting in place of Prince Amukamara, did enough to limit big plays from the Dallas receivers for most of the evening. The Bears will need to keep getting production out of their backups, particularly the linebackers, as the news for Smith doesn’t sound promising.
[lawrence-related id=432525]