Thursday's Game

Cowboys at Bears

8:25 p.m., NFL Network.

Line: Cowboys by 31/2.

The lowdown: If the Dallas Cowboys can avoid another late-season letdown, they can reach a significant goal: the NFC East title.

The first step is getting past Chicago. They are a game behind the Eagles after getting blown out, 33-10, on Thanksgiving and have another showdown with them next week that could be for the division lead.

But before Dallas (8-4) can worry about that, there's this matchup with the struggling Bears (5-7) at Soldier Field.

"It's hard to get to this point in the year and be 8-4 and right in the middle of the hunt," tight end Jason Witten said. "I think you play long enough like I have you respect the opportunity that you have and where you are positioned. So I am excited about that."

Tony Romo was sacked four times and intercepted twice while throwing for 199 yards against the Eagles, and his rating for the game was 53.7 compared with 106.2 for the season.

The Cowboys last made the playoffs in 2009. They have struggled in recent years once December arrived. In 2011, they dropped four of their final five. A year later, they dropped their final two games. Last year, they lost three of their last four.

The Bears may be without kicker Robbie Gould. He was listed as doubtful because of a right quadriceps injury and the Bears signed veteran Jay Feely on Wednesday. - Associated Press

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