On Sunday, the Bears (4-3) are set to face the Cardinals (4-4) at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Here are three strategies that could enhance their chances of coming out on top:
(1) Contain Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Drafted first overall in 2019, Murray is a versatile quarterback similar to Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, whom the Bears recently played. He currently holds the 10th spot in the NFL with a 98.0 passer rating and ranks third in rushing yards among quarterbacks with 344. Over the season, he has amassed 1,638 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, and has avoided being sacked in his last three games.
“Facing Kyler Murray presents a significant challenge for us this week,” said defensive coordinator Eric Washington. “He’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators, boasting incredible speed and arm talent, and can adjust his release angle under pressure. The protection around him has been excellent, and he’s been great about taking care of the football.” Last week against Miami, Murray had his best performance of the season, completing 26 of 36 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, leading to a 28-27 win. The Bears’ defense, however, has excelled, leading the NFL with a 76.2 opponent passer rating and ranking fourth in points allowed per game (17.0), not permitting more than 21 points in their last 13 games dating back to last year.
Murray’s capability to extend plays with his mobility poses a significant challenge for the Bears. He is a dual threat on the ground and, according to Next Gen Stats, leads the league with a 116.5 passer rating and four touchdowns when he has at least four seconds in the pocket. “We need to ensure we can affect the quarterback given his speed and agility, starting with our four-man rush,” Washington noted. “We must understand the launch point and work to collapse the pocket while executing our defensive strategy effectively. For quarterback runs, we must be meticulous in our assignments and ensure we’re well-positioned within the overall defensive plan.”
(2) Come out strong on offense.
This season, the Bears have been outscored 29-10 in the first quarter but have managed to outscore opponents 153-90 in the remaining three periods. They have only one touchdown in the first quarter and none on their opening drives. “We’ve been discussing this internally every week,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron emphasized.
(3) Return to previous success on offense.
The Bears’ offense was thriving before the bye week, achieving five touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since 1956 and scoring at least 35 points in two consecutive matches for the first time since 2006. Williams played a pivotal role, attaining passer ratings of 106.6, 126.2, and 124.4 during three consecutive victories.