3 favorable matchups for the Cardinals in Week 13 vs. the Bears
By Sion Fawkes
Arizona’s defensive backs vs. Chicago’s receivers
As of Thursday, Bears receiver Allen Robinson has not practiced. Tight end Cole Kmet did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday. If the two cannot go on Sunday, it will be a major blow to Dalton, who is already facing a notorious Cardinals pass rush led by Chandler Jones and Markus Golden.
To make matters better for the Cardinals, two of their top three corners, Byron Murphy and Robert Alford, have put up stellar performances in 2021. Through 10 his games in 2021, Murphy has allowed just a 57.4 completion percentage and holding quarterbacks to a 76.3 passer rating when targeted.
Alford has been a revelation. After missing the previous two seasons, the 33-year-old has bounced back, allowing just a 55.6 completion percentage and a low 80.6 rating. Combined with Murphy, the duo has allowed just six touchdown passes per Pro-Football-Reference.
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Safety Budda Baker has also drastically improved in pass coverage, holding quarterbacks to a 68.3 rating while holding them to a career-low 70.0 completion percentage. Only Jalen Thompson has allowed a quarterback rating over 90. But on 41 targets, he has also set a career-low for completion percentage allowed at 65.9, indicating he too is getting better in coverage.