The 2019 NFL season is reaching the stretch run, and we're here with a betting preview for Thursday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. Both teams are 6-6, but the Cowboys sit atop the NFC East while the Bears are third in the NFC North with dwindling wild-card hopes. ESPN betting analyst Joe Fortenbaugh and fantasy's Mike Clay combine to offer their best bets for the matchup. Note: Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted. Odds as of Wednesday. Dallas Cowboys (-3, 42.5) at Chicago BearsUnder 42.5 pointsFortenbaugh: While the Bears enter Week 14 ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (17.3 PPG) as well as third in scoring defense at home (16.0 PPG), that doesn't necessarily mean Chuck Pagano's unit is without vulnerability. Case in point: Take a moment and examine Chicago's run defense before and after defensive tackle Akiem Hicks went down with a dislocated left elbow in London against the Raiders, as the Bears were permitting just 61.5 rushing yards per game with Hicks on the field as opposed to 115.5 rushing yards per game without the services of the eight-year veteran. If the Cowboys are smart (big if), they'll feed running back Ezekiel Elliott early and often.
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