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Chicago Bears still think they can win NFC North

Although the 4-5 Chicago Bears trail the 7-2 Vikings by 3 games and the 6-3 Packers by 2, they haven't abandoned hope of a NFC North title.

"Every year winning the division guarantees you a spot in the playoffs, and that's still our goal," coach John Fox said. "We didn't get the start over the first half of the season that we wanted. But we're in a position where these last games are very critical, and this one's the first of those."

After the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Bears can help their cause at Green Bay on Thanksgiving night and at Minnesota in Week 15. The Vikings and Packers have both of their meetings remaining, this week and in Week 17.

Asked what excited him about his team, Fox mentioned attitude and mental approach.

"Just the way they go about it," he said. "That's been something I've been impressed with. The guys have worked hard. A lot of people make a lot about talent level and all that stuff. But through experience, how you play the game and the mindset you play the game with can overcome some of those things. I just like the state of mind of our team right now."

Little things:

Coordinator Vic Fangio doesn't believe there's just one thing that has accounted for the improved play of his defense.

"Overall we're just playing a little bit better, and when you do a lot of little things a little bit better you get bigger, better results," he said. "We've been covering better lately and haven't given up the big play as much."

In three November games the Bears have allowed just 3 runs longer than 12 yards and none longer than 19. The Bears' offense has produced five 12-plus-yard runs with a long of 26.

The Bears have allowed 6 passes longer than 20 yards, with a long of 40. The Bears' offense has eight pass plays longer than 20 yards in three November games with three longer than 40 yards, including last week's 87- and 83-yarders.

Just another game:

Coach John Fox makes a convincing argument for not placing more significance on a game against his former employers than he does for any other opponent.

"There's a lot that goes into (any) one of these games regardless of who, where, what time of the year," Fox said. "There's pretty much a schedule and a lot of things to get done. A lot of time-consuming things.

"We're so busy during the week that it's more about us - more about our preparation. Obviously you look at the opponent because they all bring new challenges as far as matchups and whatnot. (But) you don't really have a lot of time for nostalgia in those types of things."

Could get interesting:

Aside from the current division leaders, the Packers and the Atlanta Falcons are 6-3 and would be the two wild-card teams. But with their modest two-game winning streak the Bears have climbed into the wild-card race along with five other 4-5 teams, creating at least a bit of national buzz and a potentially captivating playoff race.

"I think (players) understand every day you're dealing with adversity or prosperity," coach John Fox said. "They're both hard to deal with for most people. Hopefully we get to (deal with) more of the other one as we move along, (but) time will tell."

The Carolina League:

When offensive coordinator Adam Gase was asked if his nascent facial hair had any correlation to the Bears' back-to-back victories, he references a baseball movie.

"You've seen Bull Durham, right?" Gase said. "Respect the streak."

No change:

Return specialist Marc Mariani has fumbled three times in the past two games, losing one, so special-teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers was asked if any consideration was given to replacing him.

"That conversation never came up last week," Rodgers said.

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