The Chicago Bears (1-0) and Dallas Cowboys (0-1) had luck go for and against them last week in their respective season openers, making this more of a true test on Sunday to find out how good they really are.  The Bears put up some impressive offensive numbers yardage-wise in a 19-14 win over Detroit last Sunday but needed a controversial call on a potential game-winning touchdown catch by Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson to pull out the victory.

Later that day, the Cowboys -7 on the current NFL betting odds had an apparent game-winning score wiped off the scoreboard when offensive tackle Alex Barron was called for holding in a 13-7 loss at Washington.  Dallas quarterback Tony Romo had led what looked liked the game-winning drive when he connected with wide receiver Roy Williams on a 13-yard touchdown, only to have it nullified.

Romo finished with 282 yards passing but could not overcome some gaffes, including one he committed at the end of the first half when he tried to make something happen by pitching the football to running back Tashard Choice.  The pitch was handled cleanly but Choice fumbled, and the Redskins recovered it and scored their only touchdown of the game.  Romo clearly should have let time expire by kneeling rather than heading into halftime with a 10-0 deficit.

Chicago looked much better offensively in the new Mike Martz system – until they moved into Detroit’s territory.  The Bears turned the ball over four times, including three on the Lions’ side of the field that prevented them from scoring more than two touchdowns.  Quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 372 yards – his highest number in a Chicago uniform – but a good chunk of that came on two touchdown passes to running back Matt Forte for 117 yards.

Forte finished with seven catches for 151 yards and rushed 17 times for 50 yards, but he was stuffed four straight times on the goal line.  Fortunately for him, the Bears defense played outstanding, allowing just 168 yards, forcing three turnovers and recording two sacks, including one by new defensive end Julius Peppers that knocked Lions QB Matthew Stafford out of the game with a shoulder injury.

The Cowboys have won five of the last seven meetings with Chicago both straight-up and against the spread, although they have played each other only twice this decade.  The most recent meeting saw Dallas earn a 34-10 road win the year after the Bears last went to the Super Bowl with the total going OVER 41.  The UNDER had cashed in seven of the previous eight meetings before that game.  For other NFL picks check out the NFL predictions page at Maddux Sports, offering winning selections for a reasonable cost.