Arizona Cardinals (5-4) – Chicago Bears (4-4): 29-9
Arizona clicks. The men of the desert find different ways to win every week. After the narrow victories, today's performance is a demonstration. However, Kyler Murray (13/20, 154 yards) forgot to find the goal for the first time this season. The truth is rather that he didn't need it. Full of control, the reins were entrusted to James Conner (18 races, 107 yards). The young defense accompanied the runner with a major performance.
As for the Bears, the decline continues. This time, no need for a prayer from elsewhere from Jayden Daniels to lose the match. Chicago did not exist. Caleb Williams put out a mediocre performance (22/41, 216 yards) and yet superior to all his teammates. Matt Eberflus and his coaches can no longer hide.
Terminator Conner
If the first quarter is above all defensive. He gives pride of place to a young Arizona defense often in difficulty this season. Garrett Williams (CB) is notably in multiple good moves in coverage as well as in tackling (3 tackles, 3 passes defended). Budda Baker (S) is still an inseparable leader of this team (10 tackles). Opposite, Tyrique Stevenson (CB), punished for last week, wasted no time in getting into his coach's plans after two drives off the field.
And James Conner's work begins. The runner under his side carries his team on his back, but literally his opponents. The tank runs for ten yards, breaking multiple tackles on each occasion. For the first time, it was Trey McBride (TE) who finished the job, also on the ground (7-0). And in the second quarter, it was the turn of Trey Benson (RB) to finish quietly in the goal after a huge undermining job by his colleague (14-6).
The ground game is celebrating, the Cardinals take advantage of 22 seconds on the clock before the end of the half, to transform a harmless run in the middle of the field into a 53-yard touchdown, via Emari Demercado. At the break the gap is made (21-9).
With such dominant runners and offensive line, the second half is a recital. The Cardinals are running down the clock meticulously. The defense continually attacks the opposing offensives. Even Blake Gillikin's punts are perfect. And the Bears logically cash in a safety.
One quarterback left the other in an armchair
At first, Caleb Williams struggles. Secondly, Caleb Williams sinks. Not helped by his offensive line (6 sacks), the rookie fights like hell to extend complicated plays. He sometimes achieves this, notably by connecting with Rome Odunze (5 receptions, 104 yards), but the exploits are too few. Shane Waldron (OC) and Matt Eberflus once again put out a pitiful performance and left their players helpless.
Kyler Murray is having a quiet Sunday. In the backpack of his running backs, he is content to not force anything and remains crucial to unlock some situations in 3e attempts. The mistakes of Marvin Harrison Jr. (2 receptions, 34 yards, 1 fumble), his miss on Trey McBride alone for a touchdown and a transmission error with his running back change nothing in the match. The Cardinals confirm the victory with two additional field goals in the second half (29-9).
The death knell for Matt Eberflus
The image of the match will perhaps be something entirely different from the fact of the game. Hail fell on the Phoenix field. Hail, in Arizona, admit that it's enough to make you smile. The one who received the biggest hailstones remains Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
The coach seems to have lost his group. The random decisions and the bottom line are not at the NFL level. Eberflus has some worries to worry about in the days to come. The Bears played the more affordable schedule heading into this game. Against a valiant Cardinals team the deficiencies stood out. The icing on the cake was when his team couldn't do better against the Cardinals' replacements and Caleb Williams ended up limping.
Arizona is riding on its recent good form. The Cardinals have a third consecutive victory. Young people are gradually taking over power in the desert, certainly still with mistakes, but with a lot of enthusiasm.
