The Dallas Cowboys grabbed a much needed win against a struggling Chicago Bears team that lost its most valuable player to a rib injury in the second quarter of the game and their chances to make it to the playoffs this season. Quarterback Tony Romo threw for three touchdowns and running back DeMarco Murray ran for 179 yards to help the Cowboys beat their Thursday night opponent 41-28.

After three consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Dallas Cowboys secured, on Thursday night, their first winning campaign since 2009. Led by the polarizing Tony Romo, who completed 21 of 26 passes for 205 yards and had a 138 passer rating, and the powerful DeMarco Murray, who carried the ball 32 times and had 49 receiving yards on 9 catches, the Cowboys were able to bounce back from a tough loss against divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles, on Thanksgiving, at the expenses of the Chicago Bears. The Cowboys hold their playoff destiny in their own hands as they travel to the City of Brotherly Love next week to play the Eagles once again, in a matchup that could very well define the winner of the division.

The Chicago Bears needed to win the Thursday night game to keep their slim playoff hopes alive but they were unable to stop DeMarco Murray and company. It has been a very disappointing campaign, to say the least, for a Chicago Bears team that will be missing the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler completed 32 of his 46 pass attempts for 341 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas and failed once again to lead his team to a victory. Their most relevant player in this game ended up being a former Cowboy, tight end Martellus Bennet, who had a career-high 12 catches for 84 yards. Brandon Marshall left the game with a rib injury before half time and the running game didn’t produce what was expected, as Matt Forte Forte had only 13 carries for 26 yards. And defensively, the Bears were just as bad as they have been all season long.

The Dallas Cowboys have put three straight 8-8 records behind their backs now holding a 9-4 record with three games left to be played in the regular season. No one can certainly dispute the fact that, if they are where they are right now, is because of the impact that the running game, and particularly DeMarco Murray, the league’s rushing leader, have had on this team. As for the Chicago Bears, with their playoff chances all but gone, all they have left to play for now is pride and respect.

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