Unlike his predecessor, Wade Phillips doesn't refrain from praising his players. In this case, it's Tony Romo, who has thrown for six touchdowns in his first two games and is third in the National Football League in passer ratings as he takes the Dallas Cowboys into Chicago.
"He made some scrambles that you don't see many people make, Brett Favre-ish," Phillips said of his quarterback's play in last week's 37-20 win in Miami. "He made some really outstanding plays and he's still looking downfield all the time. That's what really amazes me about him. A lot of guys, they can get away from people at times, but they don't see what's going on. He sees receivers."
Bill Parcells would never say anything like that about a player, which may be one reason the Cowboys (2-0) seem so relaxed as they prepare to play the defending NFC champions at Soldier Field.
In other games tomorrow, Miami is at the New York Jets; Arizona at Baltimore; San Diego at Green Bay; Buffalo at New England; Indianapolis at Houston; Minnesota at Kansas City; San Francisco at Pittsburgh; St. Louis at Tampa Bay; Detroit at Philadelphia; Cleveland at Oakland; Cincinnati at Seattle; Jacksonville at Denver; Carolina at Atlanta; and the New York Giants at Washington.
Tennessee is at New Orleans on Monday night.
After two games, Romo certainly gives the Cowboys an edge at the game's most important position. The Bears' QB, Rex Grossman, is third in passing, too -- third from the bottom of the ratings at 55.1, less than half of Romo's 119.3.
Beyond Romo's stats is his ability to avoid the rush and throw accurately downfield at the same time, an unusual quality in QBs that might allow Romo to beat the aggressive Chicago defense.
Chicago is 1-1, having lost 14-3 in San Diego before beating Kansas City 20-10 at home last week.
But it didn't win because of the offense. Grossman threw two interceptions and the Bears had just 239 yards from scrimmage against the Chiefs, getting a 73-yard punt return from Devin Hester for one score and a return from Hester that set up one of Robbie Gould's field goals.
Dallas might be an opportunity for the Bears to open up. The Cowboys have allowed 55 points in their wins over the Giants and Dolphins and have been vulnerable in the secondary.
"We are taking steps," Lovie Smith says of the Bears' offense. "I say give us a little more time. Hopefully, it'll be this week."
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