Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears: Five Questions with Bear Goggles On
By Scott Allen
Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
RZ: The move to coach John Fox I thought was a good one. I have no idea why he didn’t work out in Denver? I’m still trying to figure out why he isn’t on their sidelines. What has he done or what will he do to change the culture and environment in Chicago?
BGO: There’s been a few different versions of Fox’s departure from Denver. I think a lot of it had to do with John Elway and a difference of opinion how the team should go forward after another disappointing playoff exit.
Denver’s loss is Chicago’s gain. The Bears were notorious for hiring former coordinators and inexperienced head coaches. A lot of Bears fans were disappointed and shocked that then-GM Phil Emery let a coach of the year in Bruce Arians walk out the door. That’s why Emery is gone and his foolish decision is the Cardinals’ gain.
Fox is a professional head coach. I think he’s stabilized a shaken locker room and instilled some confidence back to a group that desperately needed it. These Bears may not be ready to be good yet, but this team won’t quit on Fox the way the group last year did on Marc Trestman.
RZ: Bold Bears prediction for Sunday? Of course I also have to ask, who do you think wins on Sunday and what will the score be?
BGO: I think the Bears will be able to compete with the Cardinals. Look for the defense to throw a lot of blitzes and different looks at Carson Palmer to get the ball out of his hands before he’s ready. With a couple of Cardinals starting offensive linemen out, I think the Bears can get pressure on Palmer and rattle the Cardinals offense.
On the other side of the ball, I expect the Bears to try to get Forte going and get him on the outside and in space with some toss plays and even some short screens. Martellus Bennett is a big target who could be a threat in the red zone.
The Bears match up a little better against the Cardinals than they did against the Packers and pull off a stunner.
Bears 24 – Cardinals 22
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