Every week, we'll grade the Cowboys on the three phases of the weekend's game.
Offense: A+
Highlighted by workhorse DeMarco Murray's 41 offensive touchdowns (32 rushes), the Cowboys imposed their will on a weak Bears team and fought off a small rally late by putting up 41 points. Tony Romo tossed three touchdowns — two to Cole Beasley, who very nearly had a third — and the Cowboys scored on six straight possessions with five touchdowns and a field goal after a scoreless first quarter.
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Dallas Cowboys fan watches during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears takes the field against the Dallas Cowboys on December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Chicago Bears 41-28. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Marc Trestman of the Chicago Bears takes the field with his team against the Dallas Cowboys on December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Chicago Bears 41-28. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Jeremy Mincey #92 of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli of the Dallas Cowboys on the field during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys on the field warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys is wrapped up by Jared Allen #69 of the Chicago Bears after being sacked by Willie Young #97 during the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is tripped up by Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears, D.J. Williams #58 and Shea McClellin #50 tackle DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys drives through Chris Conte #47 of the Chicago Bears for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Marc Trestman during the second quarter in a game against the Dallas Cowboys of the Chicago Bearson December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch and is tackled by Jon Bostic #57 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter on December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown past Tim Jennings #26 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown over Brandon Carr #39 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown over Brandon Carr #39 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his touchdown with Josh Morgan #19 and Michael Ola #70 during the second quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Gavin Escobar #89 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass in front of Brock Vereen #45 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Joseph Randle #21 of the Dallas Cowboys (L) celebrates his touchdown with Ronald Leary #65 during the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Brock Vereen #45 of the Chicago Bears tackles DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys to save a touchdown run during the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Joseph Randle #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs by Brock Vereen #45, Ryan Mundy #21 and Shea McClellin #50 of the Chicago Bears to score a touchdown during the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during warmups before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Marquess Wilson #10 of the Chicago Bears cannot come down with the ball as he is covered by Sterling Moore #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys reaches for the end zone to score as Chris Conte #47 of the Chicago Bears defends during the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Joseph Randle #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears runs from Anthony Spencer #93 and Jeremy Mincey #92 of the Dallas Cowboys for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown as Barry Church #42 of the Dallas Cowboys defends him during the fourth quarter on December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Chicago Bears 41-28. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after a reception against Jonathan Bostic #57 and Christian Jones #59 of the Chicago Bears during the game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinios. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys meets with Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears after the game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinios. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears walks into the locker room with a jersey from Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys on December 4, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Chicago Bears 41-28. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Defense: B
Early on, the Cowboys defense was doing a great job against the Bears and all of their weapons on offense. Brandon Marshall's long reception in the second quarter got the ball rolling a bit for the Bears before he left the game with an injury soon thereafter. After the Cowboys built a big lead, the defense caved a bit, but overall it was a solid performance with two turnovers, including a key strip on Matt Forte from Anthony Spencer that helped the Cowboys score two quick touchdowns back-to-back.
Dan Bailey was perfect, as usual. Chris Jones had a couple of nice punts in Bears territory, including one downed inside the 20. But there were some mistakes, too. Gavin Escobar flat-out dropped an onside kick that the Bears were able to recover and convert, making the game fairly interesting in the closing minutes. A needless block in the back penalty negated a Dwayne Harris punt return for a score.
