The Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears meet Sunday in NFL action from Soldier Field. Arizona is currently sitting at 3-11 on the year so far. The Cardinals lost to the 49ers in their latest matchup. As for the Bears, they’re 5-9 on the season and coming off a loss to Cleveland. Let’s get into our Cardinals vs. Bears prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were only able to win one of their first nine games, upsetting the Cowboys 28-16 back on September 24. Arizona is 2-3 since then with wins over the Falcons and Steelers. It’s been a struggle on offense for the Cardinals this year: they’re averaging just 18.5 points per game while giving up 26.9 points per game on defense in the same span.
Matched up against the 49ers in their latest outing, the Cardinals were able to score in every quarter—but also gave up points in every quarter—during a 45-29 loss. Kyler Murray posted 211 pass yards with a TD and two picks. James Conner led the rush on 86 yards and a TD, while Trey McBride added 10 receptions for 102 yards.
Arizona Cardinals Team Facts
- The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Cardinals’ last four Week 16 games.
- The Cardinals have lost the first half in each of their last seven games as road underdogs against NFC North opponents.
- The Cardinals have lost the first quarter in four of their last five road games against NFC opponents.
- Each of the Cardinals’ last six Week 16 games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Chicago Bears
Over on the Bears’ side, they started out on a 1-5 run with only a win over the Commanders to show for it. Chicago has gone 3-2 in their last five outings though, beating Carolina, Minnesota and Detroit in that quintet. The Bears’ offense has provided 20.5 points per game so far, with 17 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 183.5 yards per game through the air.
Chicago took on the Browns in their latest game and ended up taking a tough loss. The Bears were up 17-7 going into the fourth quarter but fell 20-17 at the final horn. QB Justin Fields managed 166 yards with one TD and two interceptions, while Roschon Johnson had 36 rush yards. DJ Moore added 52 yards off four catches.
Chicago Bears Team Facts
- The Bears have lost each of their last seven Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bears have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 12 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bears have lost the first half in each of their last six home games against NFC opponents.
- The Bears have lost the first quarter in each of their last four games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bears have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four Sunday games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bears rank 1st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game this season (79.8).
- The Bears rank 2nd in the NFL in interceptions this season (18).
- The Cardinals rank 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game this season (26.9).
- The Cardinals rank 31st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game this season (139.6).
ANDREW’S FREE CARDINALS VS BEARS PREDICTION
I’ll stay with the Bears. Granted, there’s not a lot to like about this matchup if you’re not a fan of either team, but it should be pretty competitive. Chicago had the Browns in their sights until the fourth quarter of their last appearance, despite mustering just 12 first downs and 236 total yards (148 passing). The Bears’ three turnovers hurt, and they gave up an average of 7.1 yards per pass play. In five of their last seven games the Bears have mustered 17 points or fewer, so points will be at a premium for Chicago here.
As for Arizona, they didn’t play terribly versus a good 49ers team in their last outing. The Cardinals bagged 436 yards (234 rushing) with 22 first downs but couldn’t do much to stop San Francisco on defense. The Cardinals have been pretty erratic themselves when it comes to scoring lately, so this one could go a lot of different ways. I like the Bears to eke out the cover at home in an entertaining matchup, though.