(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears (4-7) play the Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at noon Sunday at Soldier Field. WBBM Newsradio’s Jeff Joniak looks at the matchup; our coverage begins at 9 a.m.
OFFENSE
—With only 17 offensive touchdowns in 11 games, the Bears are looking to ramp up their red-zone touchdown efficiency. They are at 50% for the season and only 131 points. They have not been able to execute consistently inside the 20, nor get there consistently, with only 77 plays, which per Stats Inc. ranks 27th in the league.
—Arizona scores big, and they have been getting on teams quickly. In order to compete without getting into a shoot-out, Chicago must take advantage of every red-zone opportunity with a touchdown and not field goals.
—It may be wise to play keep-away. Possessing the ball as much as possible, provided it leads to touchdowns, is critical against a team that is loaded offensively. The Bears are capable in the short passing game, but to really grind the clock it is the running game they have a good chance of leaning on against the inside of the Cardinals defense.
—Stopping the run is Arizona’s only apparent weakness, and it’s not an awful weakness. In fact, Arizona held (at the time) Cleveland’s No. 1 ranked rushing attack to just 73 yards on 19 carries and no touchdowns on Oct. 17. Overall, however, the Cardinals are giving up chunk runs. The Bears have not run very well for average in the last two games and hope to carve out some good runs with David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert and other forms of moving the chains. On a wet track, maybe this can become a black and blue division-type of game for the Bears with an eye on shortening the game.
—Protecting the quarterback from the grip of edge rushers Chandler Jones and Markus Golden will be an important test for tackles Jason Peters and Larry Borom. Preparing for a fairly heavy Arizona blitz package means proper communication and buttoned-down assignments.
—Arizona is allowing only 16.0 points/game on the road and dating to last season have allowed 20 points or less an NFL-high 16 times.
—Protect the ball. Period. Arizona is a +8 in turnover margin, and they’ve forced 20 fumbles, collecting 11 of them.
DEFENSE
—There is a lot to unpack with the Arizona “air raid” offense of Kliff Kingsbury. They score. A lot. They make big plays. They get Kyler Murray back at quarterback and one of the game’s difference makers at wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. They will impact every nook and cranny of the field with multiple weapons, and they finish drives with the physical and fiery play of backup running back James Connor (13 touchdowns).
—Adding an impact tight end to the mix like Zach Ertz has balanced out the offense and made it even more dangerous. Murray makes it all dangerous with his dynamic ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield to make big plays.
—The Bears will have to be ready for the Arizona screen game and be careful the San Francisco situation doesn’t return. Look for the Cardinals to work the edges of the Bears defense and see if they are better equipped to stop the damage.
—The Bears defensive backs will be tested by the variety of receivers Arizona will throw out there. It’s a nice combination of size, speed, and quickness with the ability to make big plays after the catch. Once again, the Bears have to tackle very well.
—The Cardinals fumble. A lot—19 times! However, in some miraculous fashion they have only lost the ball three times. If the Bears pry that ball out, stealing possessions by recovering those fumbles will be as important as an offensive touchdown. It is a must. Every chance the Bears have to take the ball away must happen. It can’t be a would have, could have, should have moment.
SPECIAL TEAMS
—There has yet to be a punt return for a touchdown through the first 12+ weeks of the season, and Jakeem Grant insists he’s close. Against an offense averaging 32.8 points/game in their six road wins, the Bears have to manufacture points by any means necessary.
—A return touchdown in this game would not only fuel the scoreboard but also the sideline and crank up the juice against a team that collapsed in the final seven weeks of last season going 2-and-5 and missing the playoffs.
—From the coverage units, to the return units, to the punting of Pat O’Donnell to the kickoff placement of Cairo Santos, the Bears special teams unit must win the hidden yardage battle and play a pristine game. Winning this phase will go a long a way in giving the Bears a chance to upset the Cardinals.
INTANGIBLES
—This is a very difficult matchup for the Bears, and everyone pulling on the same rope is significantly necessary to get the win.
—Do not underestimate the significance of this game for Arizona. The Cardinals lost to the Packers, and in the battle for the top seed in the NFC, they want no part of having to go to Green Bay for a playoff game. They will be fiery and fresh after their bye week and also eyeballing a big division game next Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.
—Drowning out the crowd if things go sideways early will be critical in channeling emotion towards finding a way to win.
—The weather is a big one. It could be a chilly, slippery track with rain in the forecast for a warm weather team. Keep an eye on the sky.
—What the Bears do up front to contain Kyler Murray and make his day difficult will say as much about the outcome as what the Bears offensive line provides in their battles with the Cardinals defensive line. Winning in the trenches means winning the game.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
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