Highlights for Week 16’s Bears vs. Cardinals game.
We preview the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals matchup in Week 16 and what to watch for.
Mix scenarios during the week when the Chicago Bears, languishing at 5-8 in a congested NFC, were still in the mix for a postseason spot was enjoyable. Even though they had little chance of making the playoffs going into Week 15, their loss to the Browns virtually ended that.
With another fourth-quarter deficit lost in Cleveland last Sunday, all of that is now in the past, and Chicago will try to close the season strong. They still have three games left, which include two at home and the road finale against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
The Bears, who now sit outside of the running for a Top 2 choice, will be the underdogs heading into a game against the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals for the first time in a while. Despite suffering a significant home setback to San Francisco last week, Arizona is beginning to play better now that Kyler Murray has returned after missing the first portion of the season. The Cardinals are a club worth keeping an eye on as the season comes to an end because they might be a top-3 contender for a quarterback.
In many ways, this is a big game for both teams. With a win, the chance to salvage jobs remains. With a loss, the Bears’ chances of landing a Top 2 pick dramatically increase, as does the probability of significant changes this off-season. We’ll dive into all that and more in Week 16’s What to Watch For.
As they often say, not every game is made equally. Does this apply correctly to every painful loss? It will be revealed on Sunday. Following their most recent meltdown in Week 15, the defensive personnel’s locker room was noticeably rattled. There was a look of shock and even some doubt about the decisions made by the coaches. Simply put, this club doesn’t have five wins unless there is a significant improvement in defense.
All things considered, Phil Snow, the analyst, and head coach Matt Eberflus have done a fantastic job of bringing this team around. But they have made some very noticeable mistakes in the latter stages of the game, so one can reasonably ask if a breaking point is imminent. Although Chicago has shown improvement in their last two heartbreaking fourth-quarter losses, a warning-down bunch may be approaching. This week’s matchup against an offense that has improved since receiving their starting quarterback back from injury will be intriguing to watch to see how they react. A defeated defense combined with a faltering offense might spell trouble for a coaching staff that is already clinging to its job into 2024.
