IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys had one job Thursday night: get a victory against the Bears.

Only after they accomplished that could they worry about their playoff situation, as a loss might have sunk their season. The Cowboys responded in kind with a 41-28 victory over the Bears.

The Cowboys upped their record to 9-4, giving them their most wins since winning the NFC East with an 11-5 record in 2009.

The Cowboys remain in second place in the NFC East, a half-game behind the Philadelphia Eagles (9-3), who play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks (8-4).

The Cowboys also entered the day outside of the playoffs, losing out on the wild card because of an inferior conference record to the Seahawks and the Detroit Lions (8-4).

But they did what they needed to do and had to do by getting a huge win in Chicago, setting up another NFC East showdown at Philadelphia on Dec. 14.

“We are right in the hunt. We have challenges ahead. We have to clean this game up and then get ready for that next challenge in Philadelphia,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.

The Cowboys have finished 8-8 the previous three seasons. And they have missed the playoffs each of the last four years.

“It’s wonderful,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM). “Nine sounds fine this morning. More importantly than anything, you know we’ve been looking at schedules of the other teams and looking at having visions of sugar plums here against Philadelphia and what that might mean for us in this race.

“Nine feels good, boy. For whatever reason, it’s tough to break through.”

Jones said the Cowboys are going to sit back and root for the Seahawks to beat the Eagles on Sunday. A Seahawks win would help the Cowboys in their fight with the Eagles for first place in the NFC East.

An Eagles loss would put them back in a first-place tie and allow the Cowboys to control their destiny for the division with a win at Philadelphia next week. Of course, the Cowboys are also in a battle with the Seahawks for a wild-card playoff spot. So any losses by the Seahawks help them in that regard, especially if they don’t beat the Eagles in the rematch. Philadelphia beat the Cowboys 33-10 on Thanksgiving Day.

Jones, however, said there is no decision at all. He is rooting for the Eagles to lose and will hope they get help against the Seahawks somewhere down the road. Seattle still has tough games left in its own division against the 49ers, Rams and Cardinals.

“Well, I think any time we got a division opponent, unless it’s a question of two other division teams in our division playing each other, now, that might not get down to it. But we want that division guy to be beat every time,” Jones said. “Seattle can put it on them. They’ve got some competition between San Francisco, Arizona and St. Louis. They’ve got chances to get it right for us.”

REPORT CARD VS. BEARS

PASSING OFFENSE: A — The Cowboys didn’t throw it often, but QB Tony Romo was efficient and accurate. He completed 21 of 26 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and a passer rating of 138. DeMarco Murray got a lot of check-downs with nine catches for 49 yards.

RUSHING OFFENSE: A — The Cowboys leaned on the running game and the offensive line to the tune of 35 carries for 194 yards, including 32 carries for 179 yards by DeMarco Murray. Murray rushed for more than 100 yards for the 11th time in 13 games.

PASS DEFENSE: D– The Cowboys got no sacks and no pressure on quarterback Jay Cutler, who passed for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Martellus Bennett had 12 catches for 84 yards and a score. Orlando Scandrick had a game-sealing interception, but the trash in between can’t be ignored.

RUSH DEFENSE: A — The Bears rushed just 15 times for 35 yards. They got behind 35-7 and had to throw to catch up. But they also couldn’t run when they tried early. Matt Forte rushed 13 times for 26 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C –The Cowboys get credit for a blocked punt and a blocked extra point attempt. Bruce Carter’s blocked punt set up the first touchdown. Barry Church blocked a PAT. But the Cowboys had a punt return for a touchdown called back because of a penalty and Gavin Escobar failed to recover an onside kick.

COACHING: A — The Cowboys did what they needed to do. They got an all-important win to begin the December push. They Cowboys are now 6-0 on the road this season. Coach Jason Garrett has them ready to play and focused in tough environments.