The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for tonight's Monday Night showdown against the Chicago Bears as the team looks to build from the momentum gained during last week's Thanksgiving Day victory over the Raiders.

The Cowboys (7-5) were down by two scores to the struggling Raiders, but a second half push gave Dallas their second straight late-game victory, a week after holding off the New York Giants at the Meadowlands.

"I don't know how you can get any better practice with a lot on the line than to have a game like that," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "I think that's something our team can build on that's what you hope to have happen with three or four positive endings to maybe get ready to have a big year."

Tony Romo is leading the way for his team this year with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Tailback Demarco Murray has been on fire as of late, especially after last week's three-touchdown performance.

"We've always known that what they remember is what you do in December," Jones said, according to the team's website. "We need to change that. That was our goal this year. And we've got a chance to do something about it this year."

The Bears, on the other hand, are 6-6 after dropping 6 of 9 but they're lucky enough to be right in the middle of a tight divisional race. They're only one game out of first place with four important games looming. Understandably, Chicago is not looking ahead in the season anymore. Right now the team is just focused on getting an important victory at home.

"There's a whole lot of football to be played," coach Marc Trestman said. "We show signs of having enough to finish, of playing offensively well enough to finish, of doing things we need to get done, but we haven't done it on a consistent basis over the last month. We've got to start on Monday night and do that. That was the message: Let's worry about what we can control and that's being at our best on Monday night against the Cowboys."

Bears running back Matt Forte needs just 29 yards to reach 1,000 total yards rushing on the season. Receiver Dez Bryant is also closing in on 1,000 yards receiving and he has 9 touchdowns this season as well.

Monday night's game is slated to begin at 8:30 p.m at Soldier Field in Chicago.