With a 27th-ranked offense, the numbers say the Bears have to improve offensively. What the rankings don't say is that the early portion of the game is when they need to improve.

Against St. Louis last week, the Bears offense managed a first-drive field goal, but nothing more until their only TD near the two-minute warning of the first half. Against Green Bay, they went scoreless until the first possession of the third quarter.

"We just had a couple of slow starts," TE Kellen Davis said. "It's kind of been our M.O. this season and it's something that we're trying to get away from and get back to being explosive early in the game. And we're going to look to do that Monday night."

Saying it and doing it against Dallas' top-ranked defense are two different things. The Cowboys are second against the pass in the league and the Bears' own passing game has been off-kilter the last two games.

"It's real big for us to get in sync with the running game as well as the passing game so we can help the defense out," RB Matt Forte said. "The defense has been playing lights out. We need to put a lot of points on the board so that they can at least rest a little bit."

The Bears defense is ranked sixth overall, sixth against the run and sixth against the pass.

More pressing business: Coach Lovie Smith refused to get drawn into talk that the lockout of NFL officials could be over.

"We can’t wait to get them back when they get back," he said. "For us, it’s no more than that. We are hopeful each week. It hasn’t happened yet. It’s not really an issue with us. Dallas kind of occupies all of our time."

Day of atonement: T Gabe Carimi arrived to practice after attending services for Yom Kippur. The day of atonement includes 25 hours of fasting but Carimi managed to attend practice, although he did not participate.

"I am hungry and thirsty, but  ... I've done it before. It's not  a big deal," he said. "I feel like going to work and watching practice, and going through the mental reps is not work. I would be too thirsty if I actually did anything."

Injury free : DE Julius Peppers was at practice but wearing a ball cap instead of a helmet, and he wasn't participating. The Bears don't have to provide their daily injury report until Thursday because their game is Monday night.

Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter: @CBSBears.