GLENDALE, Ariz. — As November arrives, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a competitive playoff hunt. Quarterback Kyler Murray emphasizes that the most crucial phase of the season has begun.
“I think teams can lose focus and become complacent,” Murray remarked. “At this juncture, teams start to separate themselves. Indeed, many games are lost rather than won.”
Currently, the Cardinals stand at 4-4 and are seeking to extend their momentum with a potential third consecutive victory against the Chicago Bears, who hold a record of 4-3. Both teams are vying for playoff spots, with Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams leading the charge. Arizona is riding high after winning three of their last four contests, all of which involved thrilling comebacks in the fourth quarter. They are currently tied with the 49ers and Seahawks for the top position in the NFC West.
Murray has experience at this phase of the season, recalling 2021 when the Cardinals, after starting strongly with seven wins, stumbled to a 4-6 finish and faced an early exit in the postseason at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.
“We’ve achieved early victories,” Murray stated. “Now it’s essential that we concentrate over the next few months and strive to improve, while honing in on our objectives.”
The Bears are reeling from a tough 18-15 defeat, which concluded dramatically with a last-second Hail Mary from the Commanders. The situation grew even more complicated when footage revealed Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson gesturing to the audience while the ball was snapped, directly impacting the game’s outcome.
Stevenson expressed regret for his actions, and Bears coach Matt Eberflus noted that any disciplinary measures would be addressed internally. Williams stressed the need for the team to move past this setback and focus on the upcoming game. “We had our time to process the loss, but now we need to shift our attention to winning,” he stated.
A significant topic among the Bears this week involves accountability and whether there are clear communications between players and coaches. Following the disappointing loss, some players openly criticized calls from the sidelines. Receiver DJ Moore specifically pointed to a controversial decision to have offensive lineman Doug Kramer take a handoff at the goal line, a play that resulted in a fumble. Similarly, cornerback Jaylon Johnson questioned the lack of a timeout before the last play, which could have allowed the team to regroup.
Eberflus reaffirmed his commitment to leadership, saying, “I’m here to be a steady influence throughout this process. We are a developing team and we will navigate through this adversity together.”
In Arizona, quarterback protection has been a clear strength, with the offensive line not allowing a sack over the last three games—a feat not accomplished by the franchise since 1975. “I can’t highlight their performance enough,” Murray praised. “The offensive line is truly the backbone of our team.”
The offensive line, with Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle and Hjalte Froholdt manning the center position, has had to adapt to injuries but has remained resilient. Johnson expressed pride in their efforts, emphasizing that their primary mission is to safeguard Murray.
On the Bears’ end, Caleb Williams is aiming to bounce back after a challenging performance in their last outing. The first overall pick in the previous draft and Heisman Trophy winner completed only 10 passes out of 24 attempts in the game. He experienced setbacks, including a fumble and a sack that hindered scoring opportunities.
Prior to the bye week, however, Williams had shown impressive form, completing 60 out of 81 passes for 687 yards, accompanied by seven touchdowns and one interception over three victories. “We need to start strong and maintain our momentum throughout the game,” Williams emphasized, noting that slow starts have hindered the Bears, who have tallied just 10 points in the first quarter this season.
Meanwhile, a consistent performance from Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland has been pivotal in their recent victories. Ryland has made crucial kicks, sealing wins against formidable opponents, and has converted 8 out of 9 field goal attempts since stepping in for the injured veteran Matt Prater. “He’s a clutch player,” coach Jonathan Gannon remarked. “He remains poised even in high-pressure scenarios.”