How imbalanced is the NFC eight weeks into the season?
The Chicago Bears own a better record than the Arizona Cardinals, but the Bears are last in their division and the Cardinals share first in theirs.
What’s more, despite the fact the Bears (4-3) are superior in win-loss record, point differential, DVOA rating and every other useful metric, most sportsbooks list Kyler Murray and the Cardinals (4-4) as a slight favorite Sunday afternoon in Glendale, Ariz.
Perhaps the Hail Mary that cost the Bears a victory last Sunday at Washington — and cost head coach Matt Eberflus some credibility with the fan base — also has put Chicago in a different light with the masses.
Eberflus caught flak after the game and all week — including from Bears players — for letting the Commanders complete an undefended 13-yard pass directly before Jayden Daniels’ game-winning 52-yard touchdown pass with no time left.
He also got second-guessed for claiming that 13-yard completion was harmless, for failing to call a timeout to get the Bears better-prepared for the Hail Mary, and for not disclosing whether cornerback Tyrique Stevenson — who was facing the wrong way and taunting Commanders fans while the final play was in progress — was handed any punishment for his negligence.
“I’ve talked with Tyrique,” Eberflus said. “We had a good conversation. I’ll keep it there with him and I. It’s all about accountability and execution and that starts with me. The game didn’t finish the way we wanted it to. We hold each other accountable.”
“We voiced our opinions and he voiced his thoughts,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said of the weekly meeting between Eberflus and the Bears’ eight captains. “We had a grown-man talk. No raising voices or things like that — just a real talk.”
In contrast, everything seems peachy in the desert. The Cardinals have won three of their last four games for the first time since Weeks 9-13 of the 2021 season. In each win — over San Francisco, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami by a combined four points — Chad Ryland has booted a game-winning field goal in the final two minutes (including two with no time left).
Another key for the Cardinals? In their four losses, they’ve amassed just four sacks. But in their four wins, they’ve stacked up 11. Veteran outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck and second-year tackle Dante Stills lead the way with three sacks apiece.
“We’ve got to continue to find ways to affect the passer,” said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. “There’s been some glimpses in some games when we’ve done it pretty consistently — and there’s been some games where we haven’t been so consistent. This (week) is a big-time challenge for us because (Caleb Williams) forces you to play differently on defense with his skill set.”
Arizona might gain rookie defensive tackle Darius Robinson’s services Sunday. The first-round pick has yet to appear in a game due to a calf injury suffered in preseason, but he was added to the roster this week with hopes the projected starter will round into shape sooner than later.
Meanwhile, the Bears might be without two key pieces in their secondary. Starting safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and nickel back Kyler Gordon (hamstring) missed last week’s loss and didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough. Defensive end Montez Sweat (shin) was one of three other Bears to miss practice.
For the Cardinals, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (groin) and Robinson (calf) were the only two players to miss practice. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) practiced in full.
Prior to kickoff Sunday, fans gazing down at the field will see one of the most genuinely warm pregame conversations between head coaches in NFL history. Gannon, who’s in his second year as Arizona’s boss, spent 2018-20 serving as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive backs coach when Eberflus was the team’s defensive coordinator.
“My guy,” Gannon said. “It’ll be good to see him. People ask me about him all the time. The first thing that comes to my mind is elite leadership skills. I learned so much from him. I took a lot of what I learned from him to Philly (as defensive coordinator) and then to here. He’s been a really cool resource for me. I love his family. His family did a lot for my family in Indy.”