The Arizona Cardinals didn’t give themselves much of a chance on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. They fell behind 21-0 and allowed 252 yards in the first half and were unable to recover.
Kyler Murray threw two touchdown passes, James Conner had 112 yards from scrimmage and the offense did not turn the ball over.
However, they allowed the Bears to rush for 250 yards, led by Khalil Herbert’s 112.
In the end, it was a 27-16 loss, dropping the Cardinals to 3-12 with two games left in the season.
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Another rookie gets start
Rookie linebacker Owen Pappoe got the start next to Krys Barnes.
Bears WR D.J. Moore injured
Moore exited the game after the second play when he was tackled after a six-yard catch.
He returned at the end of the Bears’ second drive.
Bears 7, Cardinals 0
Justin Wheels takes it himself for 6!#ProBowlVote + @justnfields pic.twitter.com/rh3QjUhfzr
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 24, 2023
Cole Kmet had a 53-yard catch of a bad throw by Justin Fields, a sack was nullified by a defensive hold by Starling Thomas in the end zone and Zaven Collins lost contain, leading to Field running for a three-yard touchdown to give the Bears the lead.
Bears 14, Cardinals 0
.@JuiceHerbert turned on the jets 💨
📺: #AZvsCHI on FOX | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/vvVQzhCvbm
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 24, 2023
Justin Fields’ 24-yard run sets up Khalil Herbert’s 11-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
Bears 21, Cardinals 0
Year 18 and @MarcedesLewis89 is still scoring TDs 🤯
📺: #AZvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/nD8wXzXOoh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 24, 2023
Cole Kmet caught a 29-yard pass to put him over 100 for the game and Field found 18-year veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis for a one-yard touchdown pass.
TD PASS! Bears 21, Cardinals 7
James Conner with the touchdown CATCH from Kyler Murray! pic.twitter.com/RKifSWVbtj
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 24, 2023
Kyler Murray had a scramble. James Conner had a 16-yard run. Rondale Moore had a catch for a first down and a run. It was a nine-play, 75-yard drive and Murray threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Conner to finally get on the board.
Bears 21, Cardinals 10
The Cardinals put points on the board to start the second half with a 55-yard field goal from Matt Prater, the 80th field goal of his career from 50 yards or more.
The drive started after Greg Dortch’s 40-yard kick return and James Conners’ 18-yard run.
Kmet doubtful
Kmet, who had 107 receiving yards in the first half, left the game with a knee injury and was doubtful to return.
He was already dealing with a quad injury.
Bears 24, Cardinals 10
The Bears played the clock after the Cardinals had a 77-yard punt. They went 49 yards in 10 plays, burning more than five minutes off the clock.
Cairo Santos hit a 49-yard field goal to increase the lead to two touchdowns.
PICK! Jalen Thompson intercepts Justin Fields
JT going up and picking it off 😤@jt_broooo x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/30lUBulKOQ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 24, 2023
Justin Fields had the first turnover of the game after a 39-yard scamper that got the Bears into the red zone. He attempted to find Khalil Herbert in the end zone for a touchdown but Thompson picked it off and the Cardinals took over with 10:30 to go.
Greg Dortch TD! Bears 24, Cardinals 16
#YOUGOTDORTCHED🔥@_GDortch x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/OfYi65sSoD
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 25, 2023
The Cardinals cashed in after the interception. Murray threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Greg Dortch. Dortch cooked several defenders for the score. For some reason, they went for two and, of course, they failed.
Turnover on downs
The Cardinals forced a punt but weren’t able to do more. They picked up a first down but Michael Wilson couldn’t catch a pass on a sideline on third down and Greg Dortch couldn’t get any separation on a fourth down throw for a turnover on downs.
The Bears took over in Arizona territory.
Bears 27, Cardinals 16
The Bears tacked on three more points with a 29-yard field goal.
Game over
The Cardinals got a couple of completions but ran out of time.
