Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears: Preview, prediction
The Arizona Cardinals play their first away game against the Chicago Bears.
The Arizona Cardinals will travel to Chicago, Illinois for a showdown with the Chicago Bears. The Bears (0-1) lost their home opener last week against the Green Bay Packers 31-23. On the other hand, the Arizona Cardinals (1-0) won their home opener in comfortable fashion against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
History: The Cardinals and the Bears have faced each other 89 times in the regular season, with the Cardinals playing 11 of these games as the St. Louis Cardinals and 70 of these as the Chicago Cardinals. The Arizona Cardinals have an all time 27-56-6 record against the Chicago Bears. The latest win against the Bears came in Week 9 of the 2009 season. The Arizona Cardinals won by a score of 41-21 in an offensive explosion provided by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald.
What: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
When: 10:00 AM Arizona Time (1:00 PM EST)
TV: FOX
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
Keys to victory:
I expect this game to go very similarly to last week’s game against the Saints. Great offensive play and consistent defensive play. Carson Palmer is expected to be a favorable match up against a subpar Bears defense (provided the offensive line plays as well as they did last week!)
Expect Fitzgerald, Brown, Floyd, Fells and the rest of the receiving core to have field day against a weak Bears secondary. There is a high chance that tomorrow will be have his first 100+ yard receiving game since Week 9 of last year. John Brown is looking to build off of his 46 yard, 1 touchdown performance from last week and should give the Bears’ secondary fits. Jermaine Gresham is listed as probable, so he will still most likely be playing back seat to Week 1 star, Darren Fells.
The offensive line played beyond everyone’s expectations last week, and allowed no sacks. Earl Watford and Johnathan Cooper played exceptionally against the pass rush. This game will help show whether last week’s performance was a fluke or whether this makeshift offensive line will be able to hold up until Mike Iupati’s return.
With Andre Ellington ruled out (Ellington did not travel to Chicago with the team), former All-Pro Chris Johnson will be getting the start, and rookie David Johnson will be backing him up. Fan favorite Kerwynn Williams was promoted to the active roster (Joseph Fauria was cut to make room for Williams) to provide some more depth at the position with Ellington being inactive. While David Johnson is listed at Chris Johnson’s back up, Williams is expected to get more snaps than the rookie.