The Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals both enter their clash Sunday at State Farm Stadium having gone 3-1 in their last four games.
The Bears (4-3) are trying to bounce back from their last-second loss to the Washington Commanders. The Cardinals (4-4) will try to win their third straight after victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins.
As kickoff approaches, here’s our snapshot look at the game.
Person in the spotlight
Matt Eberflus
Eberflus’ in-game decision-making and leadership have been the central topics for reporters at Halas Hall this week as the Bears pick up the pieces after giving up the winning Hail Mary to Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 8.
The coach complimented his players’ response to the rough loss and called Friday’s practice “outstanding” as they try to turn the page.
As for Eberflus trying to turn the page in a critical two-game stretch against the Cardinals and New England Patriots, he simply acknowledged that this is a big game because it’s the next game.
“I live week to week, and I feel like every game is a big game,” he said. “You put all your energy and all your focus into one game. That’s all you can do. And if you do anything else, you’re doing your team a disservice. We ask our players to do that. We ask our coaches to do that. We all have to do that. All of our energy is on Arizona.”
Eberflus’ decisions will again be under the microscope Sunday. And as the defensive play caller, his unit must rebound from that failed last series to stop Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. The Bears’ Eric Washington called Murray “a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators” because of his speed, arm talent and success at protecting the ball.
Murray has completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,638 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has 41 carries for 344 yards — 8.4 yards per carry — and two touchdowns. Murray and running back James Conner, who has 129 carries for 557 yards and four touchdowns, present a second straight big challenge on the ground for the Bears.
The Cardinals rank seventh with 141.8 rushing yards per game and third with 5.18 rushing yards per play.
“We’ve got to do a good job of making sure that we understand how to affect the quarterback with that type of speed and mobility,” Washington said. “And that means that it starts with our four-man rush. Where is the launch point? How can we squeeze and collapse the pocket inside out, make sure that we stay available to follow through and to just execute the plan that we have in place.
“Some of the quarterback runs, those are assignment driven and we have to make sure we’re in great position, not only with the person who may be involved in the option play but with the entire defensive concept.”
Pressing question
How will the Bears offensive line hold up after injuries?
Left tackle Braxton Jones already has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury against the Commanders.
The Bears are likely to replace Jones with Larry Borom, who suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs and spent the first eight weeks on injured reserve. The Bears on Saturday activated Borom to the 53-man roster.
“It always sucks seeing guys go down,” Borom said. “I’m just thankful I’m able to come back and be able to help.”
Borom returned to practice last week and said he doesn’t have any more physical hurdles to clear to be ready to play. Though it has been awhile since the 2021 fifth-round pick has played, he has started 23 games over three seasons in his career, and offensive line coach Chris Morgan said he has stayed prepared.
“Larry’s a pro, and Larry has played a lot of games here,” Morgan said. “Larry is always engaged, always involved. So just because he is out with an injury, over the last three years, he’s always present in meetings, he’s always present in practice when he can be watching. He maxes it out in rehab. He’s a pro.”
Left guard Teven Jenkins was limited Wednesday and Friday with a knee injury and sat out Thursday. But Eberflus said Jenkins looked good, indicating that he could start Sunday.
On the plus side for the Bears, the Cardinals defense hasn’t put up great numbers, including notching a 6.07% sack rate, ranked 27th in the NFL.
Keep an eye on …
Cardinals safety Budda Baker, a movable chess piece in Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
Baker is coming off a 12-tackle effort in last week’s win over the Dolphins. But his true value goes beyond statistical production with his versatility allowing the Cardinals to diversify the looks they present to opposing offenses. That can be particularly vexing for a young quarterback — such as Bears rookie Caleb Williams.
“They’re able to use a lot of blurry structures presnap with a three safety starting point and then rock and roll into different looks,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “So it’s a little different than other schemes. They might get into some of the final coverages or front structures that are normal. But the way they get to those is non-traditional.”
Waldron, who was coaching in the NFC West for Baker’s first seven seasons in the league, labeled the Cardinals safety “a fearless player who’s always in attack mode.” Bears passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, meanwhile, stressed how Arizona’s defense is entirely “built around Baker.”
“And that’s really smart by them in featuring what he does best,” Brown added. “They give him the opportunity to, as I say, scratch where it itches. They allow him the freedom to find where the ball is going to be and make plays.
“And he’s a super-instinctive player inside of an unorthodox defense. So it’s going to be a big game for us in trusting the post-snap reads. Being able to have a presnap picture is going to be great. But this week, with the way these guys disguise so much, it’s all going to be based off our post-snap looks. ”
Tyrique Stevenson’s status
Eberflus declined to say Friday whether the second-year cornerback would start Sunday. Stevenson typically starts opposite cornerback Jaylon Johnson, but his status has been in question after his much-publicized lapse in focus during the Commanders’ Hail Mary.
Eberflus said he will not publicly reveal any consequences for Stevenson.
“I’ve talked to Tyrique,” Eberflus said. “He’s had a really good week of practice. He’s done well with refocusing in. And I appreciate his efforts moving into the next phase, which is Arizona.”
The Bears also have cornerback Terell Smith available to start if needed.
They have a challenge ahead in stopping rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 pick who has 26 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns. He had his second 100-plus-yard game Sunday against the Dolphins.
“He’s growing as a player,” Washington said. “You see why he was picked and where he was and his confidence has grown. He’s becoming a person that you have to address, that you have to plan for. His catch radius, the speed, the ability to get himself open and be in the right spot so Kyler can get the ball out of his hands.”
Injury report
Beyond Jones sitting out, safety Jaquan Brisker will miss his third straight game while recovering from a concussion, and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) also will be out.
The Bears listed Borom, Jenkins, defensive end Montez Sweat (shin), nickel Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and guard/center Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) as questionable.
Gordon returned to practice in a limited fashion for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 6. Gordon says there’s a ramp-up process as he tries to get back ready to play again.
“I wanted to be out there immediately the day after,” Gordon said. “It’s definitely tough being smart and then being eager. I’m just trying to figure out the in-between, not pushing it over the limit, but definitely testing it out and trying to make good progress on it. Because I want to be able to be back on the field as fast as possible. I hate being out.”
For the Cardinals, defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf) and offensive lineman Jonah Williams (knee) are out. Defensive linemen Naquan Jones (thigh) and Roy Lopez (ankle) are questionable.
Predictions
Brad Biggs (5-2)
Injuries on the offensive line don’t inspire much confidence in this selection. But the Cardinals defense ranks 32nd on third down and is near the bottom of the league against the run and pass. Arizona hasn’t been able to get rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. going with consistency, and that isn’t a bad matchup for the Bears. The fallout from the loss to the Commanders should sharpen the Bears for this one. They need to be able to function up front, and with left tackle Braxton Jones (knee) out and the possibility of moving parts on the interior, this game is a toss-up.
Bears 20, Cardinals 17
Colleen Kane (5-2)
The Bears already have weathered the fallout from an ugly loss before this season, against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, and they bounced back from that to put together a convincing three-game winning streak. So they can turn the page, even after such a traumatic loss as the one to the Commanders. More concerning to me are the loss of left tackle Braxton Jones this week, the Bears offense’s continued struggles to open games well under quarterback Caleb Williams and Matt Eberflus’ dismal road record. Still, I think this looks on paper like a chance for Williams and running back D’Andre Swift to spark the offense. And I still have faith in this Bears defense despite that bad last series against the Commanders.
Bears 24, Cardinals 23
Dan Wiederer (4-3)
My gut says the Bears are the more complete team. Still, I can’t shake my feelings of concern. I’m concerned about the Hail Mary hangover. I’m concerned about Matt Eberflus’ 3-17 road record as head coach. I’m concerned about the Bears’ depleted offensive line. I’m concerned about the offense’s consistently slow starts. I’m concerned about Caleb Williams’ 66.5 passer rating and six turnovers in road games. I’m concerned that this game will be much more dangerous than it appears. Last week, in predicting a win over the Commanders, I took a leap of faith in this group’s ability to handle itself in big moments of big games. My trust has since waned.
Cardinals 23, Bears 20
