Cardinals-Bears: Arizona gets another crack at a rookie QB

Nov 2, 2024, 7:56 AM

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

TEMPE — The Chicago Bears sport two very different records entering their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Sitting at 3-0 all-time, the Bears have never lost at State Farm Stadium. And yes, that includes Dennis Green’s infamous “They are who we thought they were!” rant in 2006. You can’t properly prepare for Sunday’s action without watching it at least once.

But before the drove of Chicago fans embarking on State Farm Stadium this weekend start breaking out the celebratory giardiniera and malort, there’s one mark that wouldn’t instill much confidence in any traveling fanbase.

At 0-17 in true road games that fall on Sunday across the past three seasons, the Bears are still searching for their first win away from Soldier Field under head coach Matt Eberflus.

Can Arizona make it 0-18 on Sunday?

Cardinals’ first look at Bears’ Caleb Williams

For the second time this year, the Cardinals defense gets a shot at another rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams.

Arizona’s first run in with a young signal caller in 2024 did not go as planned, with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels carving up the Cardinals for one of their worst losses of the season.

Consistency has been Daniels’ strong suit throughout most of the season. It’s a big reason why he’s the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year eight weeks in. Williams, however, is still searching for it.

These past two weeks were a good example of Williams’ season so far. After throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns to one interception on nearly 80% passing, Williams followed it up with 131 yards and a 41.7% completion percentage.

On the year, he’s thrown for 1,448 yards and nine touchdowns to five interceptions with a 62.8% completion percentage for an offense putting up the fifth-fewest passing yards per game (183.6).

Even with his inconsistencies, Williams has flashed plenty of potential that Arizona’s defense must keep at bay.

“He knows where to go with the ball,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. “He’s accurate, and then the extension play is unique.

“This is a big-time challenge for us because he forces you to play differently on defense,” the head coach added. “He really does because of his skillset, so we’re going to have to execute that plan.”

On top of his passing abilities, Williams can also beat a defense with his legs. Averaging 6.4 yards per carry in 2024, the rookie has accounted for 216 yards and 12 first downs on 34 attempts.

Not exactly Kyler Murray numbers, but still enough to make defenses think twice.

The true strength of the Bears

The most consistent part of the Bears in 2024 is their defense.

Allowing the fourth-fewest points in the league (17), Chicago’s defense gives this team a chance at a victory more times than not.

“They’re a good defense. Very sound, play fast, play physical. We understand what we have ahead of us,” quarterback Kyler Murray said Wednesday. “It’s going to take a full week of practice. A great week of practice, go out there and execute on Sunday. They got great players. They do what they do.”

But just how good is the defense without one of their most impactful players?

Defensive end Montez Sweat has been a huge part of the unit’s success since heading to Chicago almost a year ago to the day, registering 9.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 20 QB hits in 16 career games with the Bears.

Heading into Sunday’s tilt, though, his status remains in question after being downgraded to a DNP (did not participate) for Friday’s practice due to a shin injury and logging just one limited day of work this week.

He’s not the only starting Bears defender dealing with injuries, either.

While cornerback Kyler Gordon is questionable with a hamstring issue, safety Jaquan Brisker has already been ruled out with a knee injury. And that’s not even mentioning the offensive line injuries plaguing the team currently.

Even if Sweat and Gordon do play, Chicago is going to be far from 100% on the road.