LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — 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 the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.They are a game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East after getting blown out 33-10 by the Eagles 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.”It’s not hard to see why he is excited considering the Cowboys last made the playoffs in 2009.