CHICAGO -- Neither the brutal cold nor the leagues worst defence could stop Josh McCown and the Bears. Instead, Chicago jumped right back into the playoff race. 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. The Bears (7-6) retired Hall of Famer Mike Ditkas number at halftime and 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 defence. The bone-chilling conditions didnt 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 didnt get into all the hypotheticals and all the things that go into winning or losing a game." Alshon Jefferys 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 after a gut-wrenching overtime loss at Minnesota last week. McCown, making his fourth straight start with Jay Cutler sidelined by a high left ankle sprain, became the first Bears quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three straight games. And for that, DeMarcus Ware blamed Dallas defence. "If you were back there quarterbacking and we played the way we played you probably would have five touchdowns," he said. McCown, meanwhile, insisted hes still the backup. And Trestman said the plan with Cutler hasnt changed. "Well see where Jay is this week," he said. "Hell have to be released by the doctors and when Jay is ready to play, hell be playing." 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 defence. But if youre 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 Im sure that will be part of the plan on defence; more risks." Tony Romo threw for three touchdowns but completed just 11 of 20 passes for 104 yards for Dallas. DeMarco Murray ran for 146 yards against the leagues worst run defence, but the Cowboys were overmatched after winning two straight. They also lost linebacker Sean Lee to another injury -- this time a neck issue after making a tackle in the third quarter. He missed the previous two games with a hamstring problem. "Certainly, it was a disappointing loss and the loss stings," coach Jason Garrett said. "The worst thing we can do is have a hangover after this loss." The game-time temperature was 8 degrees with the wind chill at minus 9, but the freezing conditions did nothing to slow either team in the early going. Garrett said both teams handled it well. Murray burned Chicago for 52 yards on six carries on the games opening possession to set up a 2-yard scoring pass from Romo to Dez Bryant, but the Bears scored just about every time they got the ball. After Bryants TD, McCown tied it with a 4-yard pass to Earl Bennett and put Chicago ahead 14-7 early in the second quarter with a 7-yard scramble, leaping at the goal line and getting spun in midair. Jason Witten tied it at 14 when he dragged Major Wright across the goal line on a 10-yard touchdown catch, but the Bears grabbed a three-point lead on Robbie Goulds 27-yard field goal with 1:33 remaining in the half. Jeffery added to it with that neat catch after Dallas was forced to punt. "Im just trying to give him a chance to go up and make the play but not really put the ball in jeopardy, so to speak," McCown said. "My part was relative easy to the catch." NOTES: The record low temperature for a Bears home game is 2 degrees against Green Bay on Dec. 22, 2008. The lowest wind chill was minus 15 against the Packers on Dec. 18, 1983. ... There was a moment of silence for Nelson Mandela before the game. Clearance Air Jordan Store . 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Fake Jordan . - No matter the lineup or location, the San Antonio Spurs are rolling through the NBA again this spring, just the way they have for most of the last two decades. Its official! @KobeBryant passes Michael Jordan for 3rd on the @NBAs all-time scoring list: http://t.co/D2qoGsSidL pic.twitter.com/aa7AxrUkgS — NBA.com (@NBAcom) December 15, 2014 With those two free throws, Kobe Bryant adds to his legend by becoming the third-highest scorer in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/f0rhADUk4j — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 15, 2014 Congrats @kobebryant for passing Michael Jordan for 3rd all time on the scoring list. Such an inspiration to watch his dedication to the game after 19 seasons and a serious injury. #kobe #kobebryant #kb24 #mambagang A photo posted by Mike Staiger (@mstaiger) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:03pm PST Congrats to @kobebryant on passing his idol Michael Jordan for 3rd on the NBA All-Time scoring list! — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 15, 2014 Laker fans weve been so blessed to watch Kobe Bryant, one of the top 5 or 6 best players ever, play in a Lakers uniform! — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 15, 2014 Just like weve never seen another player like Michael Jordan, we will never see another player like Kobe Bryant! — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 15, 2014 Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are two of the NBAs greatest, and they share a relationship built on mutual respect. http://t.co/DH0VlbySvz — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 15, 2014 Michael Jordans final career points were at the free throw line. @KobeBryant passes him at the free throw line. https://t.co/9PMfv68Dtk — SoleCollector.com (@SoleCollector) December 15, 2014 Michael Jordan scored 32,216 points in just 1,072 games.dddddddddddd Kobe Bryant took 197 more games to pass Jordan. pic.twitter.com/jXDrQByULu — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 15, 2014 Congratulations to Kobe Bryant becomes 3rd on the all-time scoring list passing Michael Jordan with 32,293. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/LzO82AoOsk — NBA Canada (@nbacanada) December 15, 2014 Andrew Wiggins only 32,005 points behind Kobe Bryant — Marc Woizinski (@_Marc_W) December 15, 2014 #KobeBryant #Lakers #NBA #Leyenda A photo posted by Héctor M. Méndez (@hm23pr) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:02pm PST History made. @kobebryant #kobebryant #kobe #mamba #lakers #michaeljordan #jordan #goat #legends #greatness A photo posted by Ryan Del Rosario (@k_12yan) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:01pm PST VIDEO: Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan on the NBAs all-time career scoring list http://t.co/62SLnTapim pic.twitter.com/oJ9pmB5MuQ — SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 15, 2014 To commemorate Kobe passing MJ, Nike has released the NIKEiD KOBE 9 Elite Low “Mamba Moment” shoe ($245) pic.twitter.com/66k3SXM3Jm — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 15, 2014 Kobe passes MJ. Nice witness. pic.twitter.com/tEwJIPcbm6 — Martin Brian Ansah (@DaAnsahonSports) December 15, 2014 Yessss @kobebryant you did it!!! #myidol #lakers #3rd #24 #kobebryant #kobe #lovehim #bleedpurpleandgold #yassss A photo posted by Claudia Vazquez?? (@clvh413) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:02pm PST Now Kobe just needs to win two more titles and punch Steve Kerr twice and hes good. — netw3rk (@netw3rk) December 15, 2014 ' ' '