Cowboys outgun Bears: rookie Dak Prescott throws first touchdown pass as Dallas beat Chicago 31-17
Rookie leads scoring drives on all four Dallas possessions in the first half before throwing his first career touchdown pass
Dak Prescott led scoring drives on all four Dallas possessions in the first half before throwing his first career touchdown pass, and the Cowboys beat the Chicago Bears 31-17 on Sunday night to snap an eight-game home losing streak.
With his second straight win, Prescott doubled the number of victories the Cowboys (2-1) had in 14 games without injured quarterback Tony Romo over three seasons before the rookie fourth-round pick showed up.
Prescott’s first TD pass was a 17-yarder to Dez Bryant for a 31-10 lead in the fourth quarter, and he’s up to 99 throws without an interception to start his career. Philadelphia rookie Carson Wentz has 102, and those are the two highest career-opening totals in NFL history.
Brian Hoyer had trouble moving the Chicago offence early with Jay Cutler sidelined by a sprained right thumb as the Bears fell behind 24-3 at half-time and dropped to 0-3 for the second time in two seasons under coach John Fox.
Rookie fourth overall pick Ezekiel Elliott had his first 100-yard game for Dallas, finishing with 140 yards on 30 carries and a 14-yard run when he hurdled safety Chris Prosinski.
It didn’t even bother Prescott that Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith missed just the second game of his six-year career after his back tightened up during the week.
Prescott had one of three rushing touchdowns for the Cowboys, who have seven this season after getting eight all of last year, when they finished 4-12.
It was Chicago’s first game without linebackers Danny Trevathan (sprain thumb) and Lamarr Houston (season-ending left ACL tear). And the Bears struggled to slow the Cowboys, getting outgained 274-114 in the first half. Dallas had a 19-4 edge in first downs before half-time and finished with 447 yards, including 199 on the ground.
The Cowboys were on their way to a score on a fifth straight possession when Terrance Williams fumbled at the end of a 47-yard catch on the opening drive of the second half. The Bears turned that into the first of Hoyer’s two TDs to Miller, a 2-yarder on fourth down to cut it to 24-10.
