Sure victories don’t exist for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
Who would’ve guessed a few weeks ago that the Arizona Cardinals would be home underdogs to the Chicago Bears in week three
When the Arizona Cardinals schedule was released back in April, this Sunday’s game looked like a fairly easy one. It’s not that the Chicago Bears were thought of as a bad team. But out of all of the matchups on the Cards’ 2018 slate, this week three home contest looked extremely winnable.
My, how circumstances have changed. Through two weeks, Arizona has looked absolutely dreadful. The club was embarrassed at State Farm Stadium against the Washington Redskins on opening day, and then steamrolled at the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend.
The Bears, on the other hand, appear to be improved. New head coach Matt Nagy’s squad had the Green Bay Packers on the ropes in week one, before suffering a heartbreaking loss. Chicago rebounded nicely however, defeating the Seattle Seahawks this past Monday night at historic Soldier Field.
Earlier this month, the Bears acquired a difference-maker. Khalil Mack, a star defensive end who the Oakland Raiders foolishly elected to give up on, has been outstanding. In two games with his new team, the fifth-overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft has tallied eight tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Chicago quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been steady but unspectacular. The 2017 first-round pick has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 371 yards and two touchdown tosses, while throwing two picks. His offensive counterparts include Jordan Howard, Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, Tarik Cohen and Taylor Gabriel.
dark. Next. Rosen better off on sidelines
Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed the Bears as five and a half point favorites over the Cardinals. Three points are factored in for the home participant, which means that the bookmakers feel that Chicago is actually eight and a half points better than the hosts. A game that appeared to be an easy Cards victory just weeks ago, has suddenly become one that many observers don’t believe they have a shot at winning.