Cowboys need quicker start against Bears, but should be able to handle Thursday night matchup

A rare Thursday night game that is not part of a short week has Dallas at Chicago. Both teams lost on Thanksgiving Day, and the Bears are headed for a double whammy.

Dallas (8-4) is in the midst of a tight NFC East battle with Philadelphia, as well as in the conference wild-card race. Chicago (5-7) is going nowhere.

Plus, the Cowboys are 5-0 on the road, while the Bears have a 2-3 mark at Soldier Field, with the victories over weaklings Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

"It's hard to get to this point in the year and be 8-4 and right in the middle of the hunt," veteran 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."

Not so exciting is that Dallas has struggled out of the gate in recent games, and has lost three of five, with the wins over the Jaguars and Giants.

Still, Dallas (No. 10, AP Pro32) is a 3 1-2-point favorite over No. 24 Chicago. That should be more than manageable.

COWBOYS, 27-20

Packers on quite a roll at Lambeau. Lots of leaps upcoming Monday night.

BEST BET: PACKERS, 37-17

No. 14 Kansas City (plus 1 1-2) at No. 7 Arizona

Sad to see how injuries have crippled the Cardinals.

UPSET SPECIAL: CHIEFS, 20-19

Winner here will be a postseason force. Both teams could be.

SEAHAWKS, 22-21

No. 2 New England (minus 3) at No. 11 San Diego

Patriots won't get soft after a week in southern California.

PATRIOTS, 27-20

Ravens will run, run and run some more against soft Miami ground defense.

RAVENS, 19-17

No. 17 Buffalo (plus 10) at No. 3 Denver

Bills' rush will get to Peyton, just not often enough for an upset.

BRONCOS, 28-20

These are the kind of road trips any coach likes — across the Bay to face league's worst team.

49ERS, 23-10

No. 16 Pittsburgh (plus 3) at No. 9 Cincinnati

Two befuddling teams who stunk it up last week. The difference: Cincinnati won.

BENGALS, 21-20

This won't be easy for Colts, but it is doable.

COLTS, 24-23

No. 19 Houston (minus 5) at No. 28 (tie) Jacksonville

Jaguars will be sky high after rallying past Giants. No repeat.

TEXANS, 26-16

A mess, Big Apple style, vs. a mess, Music City style.

GIANTS, 23-21

No. 25 Carolina (plus 9 1-2) at No. 20 New Orleans

Saints get a home win — and within reach of the .500 level.

SAINTS, 30-16

Lions know a playoff spot is there for the taking without any screw-ups.

LIONS, 31-17

No. 21 St. Louis (minus 2 1-2) at No. 28 (tie) Washington

Difficult to go with Rams as a road favorite. But not impossible.

RAMS, 16-14

Vikings making a push toward respectability. Jets are not.

VIKINGS, 20-10

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2014 RECORD: Against spread: This week (7-9); Season (90-95-4). Straight up: This week (9-7); Season (125-65-1)

Best Bet: 5-8 against spread, 7-6 straight up.