game Overview ::
By MIKE JOHNSON >>
- These two teams have had rough seasons but still have a lot to play for as they look to evaluate players and build momentum for 2024.
- Dual-threat quarterbacks on both sides of the ball should help these offenses keep the chains moving
- Trey McBride has ascended to become the focal point of the Cardinals offense.
- Arizona’s defense has been abused many times this season, both on the ground and through the air, while the Chicago defense has been very good the last few weeks.
- Chicago is likely to control this game, as the Bears have been a much tougher team than their current record indicates.
How ARIZONA Will Try To Win ::
Arizona was able to put up a respectable effort against the 49ers on the scoreboard last week and managed 436 total yards of offense. Arizona scored the opening touchdown of the game and kept things within eight points heading into halftime, but San Francisco was in control the whole way en route to a 45-29 victory. The Cardinals have been more consistent offensively since the return of Kyler Murray with a 2-3 record during that stretch, but they have fallen into some very bad game scripts against teams who were able to expose their overmatched defense. The Cardinals seem likely to be without top wide receiver Marquise Brown after he left last week’s game with a heel injury. Since the Cardinals moved Trey McBride into the starting tight end position he has not disappointed and he is now clearly the top option for them in the passing game. McBride has at least nine targets in four of his last five games and has 89 or more receiving yards in four of his last seven games. For comparison’s sake, only one time in 14 games has a Cardinals wide receiver surpassed 89 receiving yards (Brown in Week 4). As for the running game, the Cardinals utilized three running backs last week, as they gave rookie Emari Demercado and veteran pass-catching back Michael Carter some work alongside veteran James Conner.
Arizona will face a Bears defense that has been thriving recently. Weather forecasts currently predict a relatively mild day for December in Chicago, with temperatures around 50 and no excessive wind or precipitation. The Bears have been especially strong against the run and rank No. 3 in the league in both run defense DVOA and yards per carry allowed. While Arizona ranks 31st in the NFL in PROE, it is likely that they will have no choice but to raise their pass rate and/or use Kyler Murray’s legs in this matchup if they want to move the football. Arizona ranks ninth in rushing offense DVOA, but 29th in PFF run blocking grade. Their poor run blocking is unlikely to open big holes against a stout run defense, leaving the Cardinals to lean on Murray and McBride to create offense and sustain drives. The absence of Brown in the receiving corps also places some limits on what they can expect from their perimeter players in this matchup, which once again should force Murray and McBride to be focal points of the Cardinals attack.
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