The Monday night game between the Chicago Bears (3-9) and the Miami Dolphins (7-5) would have carried more significance if both teams had lived up to last year's level of performance. But only the Dolphins have.

From the Bears' perspective, it's disappointing that the game has become so meaningless for them. While they were a good playoff team last year, finishing 13-3, they have fallen off the radar screen, with a number of things contributing to their demise. Injuries have played a major part, but the Bears have also gotten inconsistent play at quarterback and running back. No team can expect to be competitive if those two key positions aren't performing well.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, seem to have all the components in place, except at quarterback. But Jay Fiedler will return as the starting quarterback this week and should improve Miami's offensive consistency. Through the first three-quarters of the season, teams play to get into position for the fourth quarter, the stretch run toward the playoffs. Despite last week's 38-21 loss to Buffalo, the Dolphins are a quality football team that remains in good position to win the AFC East.

Five keys for the Bears
1. Miller-Booker combo: The Bears need big games from Jim Miller and Marty Booker. In fact, Miller needs to play out of his mind. I don't think the Bears will run the ball consistently against Miami. Leon Johnson will replace Anthony Thomas, who is likely out for the season with a broken index finger. The Bears need explosive plays from Miller and Booker, their primary playmaker.

2. A running game: Johnson must give them some semblance of a ground attack. I'm not saying he has to run for 100 yards, but he at least has to keep Miller out of the known passing situations and to be efficient when they do run the ball. Johnson must get four yards every time he touches the ball.

3. Design big plays: Offensive coordinator John Shoop must manufacture points and design explosive plays much like the Bills' Kevin Gilbride did last week against the Dolphins. Shoop then must be willing to call them, and Miller must be willing to throw them. There has to be the trust and commitment to attempt to go down the field.

4. Control the line of scrimmage: With Ted Washington and Keith Traylor out, that will be difficult along the Bears' defensive line. The Bears need to bring one safety down into the box, stop the run and make Fiedler beat them through the air.

5. Urlacher over Williams: Brian Urlacher is questionable with a stinger, and his absence would be devastating. If he plays, the linebacker must win his matchup with Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. His job will be tougher without Washington and Traylor in front of him to keep people off him. But Urlacher can match up with Williams with speed, power and strength. He must have a big game.

Five keys for the Dolphins
1. Run Ricky: The Dolphins must pound the ball with Ricky Williams and have a commitment to the run. And if it doesn't work, they need to be patient with it, especially on the inside. Without Washington and Traylor, the Dolphins must make Urlacher take on the power running game by running between the tackles. His strength is running sideline to sideline. They need to get a body on him and make him play physical..

2. Protect Fiedler: Although Fiedler played a bit last week, the Dolphins need him to develop a comfort level now that he is back full time from the injury. Fiedler likes to plant, step and throw. He needs to feel comfortable in the pocket..

3. No turnovers: Miami can't give the Bears a short field to work with. The Dolphins must protect the football. In last week's game, Ray Lucas' fumble at the end of the first half really changed the momentum of the game. The Bills got the short field and were able to score and take a lead before halftime.

4. More McMichael: The Dolphins need to get tight end Randy McMichael involved in the passing game. The Dolphins have struggled to get the ball to the wide receivers. But if they can make the Bears defend McMichael in the hash area, it will open up the passing lanes to the wide receivers. Chris Chambers has to start cranking his game up as we head down the stretch.

5. Turn Taylor lose: The Bears moved Mike Gandy from left guard to left tackle to replace Marc Colombo, who is out for the season. The matchup between Jason Taylor and Mike Gandy is one that favors the Dolphins' defensive end, who is having an unbelievable season. He has to come after Miller.

Ron Jaworski covers the NFL for ESPN.