Bears turn up heat

CHICAGO – Neither the brutal cold nor the league’s worst defense could stop Josh McCown and the Chicago Bears.

McCown threw for a career-high four touchdowns, and the Bears scored on their first eight possessions to grab a share of the NFC North lead with a 45-28 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on a frigid Monday night at Soldier Field.

The Bears (7-6), who retired Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s number at halftime, pulled even with Detroit in the division race on a night when the game-time temperature was in single digits and the wind chill factor was below zero.

The loss left Dallas (7-6) a game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East and owner Jerry Jones calling for more aggressive play-calling on defense.

The bone-chilling conditions didn’t stop McCown from throwing for 348 yards or keep the Bears from running away with a lopsided victory.

It was one they desperately needed after consecutive losses, and although Detroit holds the head-to-head sweep, the Bears are back in the thick of the playoff race.

“All we could do is try to beat the Dallas Cowboys,” coach Marc Trestman said. “We kept it as simple as that. We didn’t get into all the hypotheticals and all the things that go into winning or losing a game.”

Alshon Jeffery’s leaping catch between two defenders in the corner of the end zone in the closing seconds of the second quarter gave the Bears a 24-14 lead, and they continued to pour it on in the second half.

McCown, making his fourth straight start with Jay Cutler sidelined by a high left ankle sprain, completed 27 of 36 passes.

Brandon Marshall caught six passes for 100 yards, and Jeffery added 84 yards receiving after breaking his own team record the previous week with 249.

Matt Forte chipped in with 102 yards rushing and 73 receiving, and the Bears racked up 490 yards in all.

“Basically, we will have to make some adjustments in what we are doing defensively,” Jones said. “What that usually means is taking more risks on defense. But if you’re going to have the kind of match like we had tonight, or certainly in New Orleans, you have to take some risks. We have to double up and I’m sure that will be part of the plan on defense; more risks.”

“Certainly, it was a disappointing loss and the loss stings,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.

Bears 45, Cowboys 28

Dallas	7	7	0	14	—	28
Chicago	7	17	11	10	—	45

Dal—Bryant 2 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)

Chi—E.Bennett 4 pass from McCown (Gould kick)

Chi—McCown 7 run (Gould kick)

Dal—Witten 10 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)

Chi—FG Gould 27

Chi—Jeffery 25 pass from McCown (Gould kick)

Chi—FG Gould 34

Chi—Forte 4 pass from McCown (Marshall pass from McCown)

Chi—Bush 17 pass from McCown (Gould kick)

Dal—Beasley 9 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)

Chi—FG Gould 23

Dal—Randle 1 run (Bailey kick)

A—62,229.

	Dal	Chi
First downs	24	33
Total Net Yards	328	490
Rushes-yards	28-198	32-149
Passing	130	341
Punt Returns	0-0	1-19
Kickoff Returns	8-136	4-62
Interceptions Ret.	0-0	0-0
Comp-Att-Int	14-25-0	27-36-0
Sacked-Yrds Lost	2-14	1-7
Punts	3-37.3	0-0.0
Fumbles-Lost	0-0	0-0
Penalties-Yards	4-50	2-15
Time of Poss	23:16	36:44

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Dallas, Murray 18-146, Randle 9-53, Romo 1-(minus 1). Chicago, Forte 20-102, Bush 8-38, McCown 3-16, Jeffery 1-(minus 7).

PASSING—Dallas, Romo 11-20-0-104, Orton 3-5-0-40. Chicago, McCown 27-36-0-348.

RECEIVING—Dallas, Williams 2-36, Escobar 2-32, Beasley 2-20, Austin 2-19, Bryant 2-12, Murray 2-9, Witten 1-10, Hanna 1-6. Chicago, Forte 7-73, Marshall 6-100, Jeffery 5-84, M.Bennett 5-43, E.Bennett 2-18, Bush 1-17, Rosario 1-13.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.