The Cowboys haven’t started a season 0-2 since 2001, when they used Quincy Carter one week and Anthony Wright in the second game. The Bears were 2-6 on the road last season, one in which the defense allowed 29 TD passes and watched opposing quarterbacks complete 64.2 percent of their attempts — both marks the worst in franchise history.
The Bears have gone 167 rushing attempts without a touchdown, the longest such streak in the NFL. Remember, Martz wasn’t the Bears’ first choice as offensive coordinator. Cutler and coach Lovie Smith wanted Jeremy Bates, who had been Cutler’s coach in Denver. But Bates went with Pete Carroll to Seattle and then San Diego offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski turned the job down. Plus, the Packers didn’t allow Tom Clements to interview for the position.