Offensive/Defensive snaps from the Cowboys' 41-28 win at Chicago

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Offensive snaps from the Cowboys' 41-28 win at Chicago
December, 6, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

CHICAGO - It's pretty clear from the way the Dallas Cowboys distributed playing time on Thursday that they wanted to physically dominate the Chicago Bears.

The mindset started by putting the ball in DeMarco Murray's hands on 24 plays -- 16 runs and eight passes -- in the first half as the Cowboys built a 14-7 lead.

Murray played 57 snaps, his highest total since the loss to Washington in October, because this was a game the Cowboys had to win.

Tight ends James Hanna and Gavin Escobar each played more than 20 snaps for only the second time this season as playcaller Scott Linehan used more formations with three tight ends than usual. Linehan also aligned Escobar in the slot several times against Chicago.

Cole Beasley scored two touchdowns and would tell you that he should have had three, even as he played a season-low 10 snaps.

Dwayne Harris, the Cowboys' best run-blocking receiver, had more playing time (13 snaps) than Beasley for the first time this season.

Fullback Tyler Clutts had his third-highest snap total (12) of the season. Linehan's approach worked because Dallas rushed for 194 yards, the third time this season they've gained more than 190 yards, and controlled the game. Tony Romo threw fewer than 30 passes for the sixth consecutive game.

 

[Cotton]

Defensive snaps from Cowboys' win
December, 6, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

CHICAGO -- Anthony Spencer played a season-high 38 snaps and delivered one of the game's biggest plays Thursday when he stripped Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte at the end of a 21-yard catch-and-run early in the third quarter.

Sterling Moore recovered the fumble and returned it 17 yards to the Chicago 31, setting up a touchdown that gave the Dallas Cowboys a 21-7 lead in the third quarter.

Bruce Carter had one of his lowest play totals of the season (25), but his blocked punt in the second quarter gave the Cowboys' offense a much-needed impetus and set up their first touchdown.

Carter's playing time has fluctuated this season because the coaching staff gets frustrated with his inconsistency at times and benches him. Other times, the coaching staff prefers to use linebacker Anthony Hitchens in the nickel defense along with Rolando McClain. When that happens, Carter's playing time dwindles.

Defensive tackle Josh Brent returned to the field for the first time since a car accident two years ago that claimed the life of practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown. Brent, who played 22 snaps, had a tackle and seemed active when he was on the field.

It's interesting that in his first game, Brent played seven more snaps than Terrell Mcclain.

Jeremy Mincey led all defensive lineman with 58 snaps.