The Chicago Bears are in Arizona this weekend, taking on the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Week 9 (and we will all be watching the game together at the Bleacher Nation Bears Watch Party!). How does their offense stack up against the Cardinals’ defense? Let’s discuss.
Chicago Bears Offense
- QB: Caleb Williams
- RB: D’Andre Swift
- WR: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze
- TE: Cole Kmet
- LT: Braxton Jones (Q)
- LG: Teven Jenkins (Q)
- C: Coleman Shelton
- RG: Matt Pryor
- RT: Darnell Wright
Arizona Cardinals Defense
- LDE: Zaven Collins
- LDT: Naquan Jones (Q)
- RDT: Roy Lopez (Q)
- RDE: L.J. Collier
- WLB: Mack Wilson Sr.
- MLB: Kyzir White
- SLB: Julian Okwara
- LCB: Sean Murphy-Bunting
- RCB: Starling Thomas V
- NB: Garrett Williams
- FS: Budda Baker
- SS: Jalen Thompson
Tale of the Tape
Chicago Bears Offense
- Points Per Game: 23.3 (16th)
- EPA Per Play: -0.02 (20th)
- EPA Per Pass: -0.07 (22nd)
- EPA Per Rush: -0.11 (21st)
Arizona Cardinals Defense
- Points Per Game: 25.6 (24th)
- EPA Per Play: 0.12 (29th)
- EPA Per Pass: 0.18 (30th)
- EPA Per Rush: 0.03 (24th)
Stats that Matter
- D’Andre Swift has been red-hot since Week 3. Since generating the fewest rushing yards over expected in the league in his first three games, Swift has recorded +45 RYOE.
- Swift was being hit behind the line of scrimmage when he was struggling, thanks to the play-calling being geared toward outside runs. Since then, Swift has been contacted behind the line of scrimmage on 30.6 percent of his rushes, the fifth-lowest among running backs with at least 30 carries. The Cardinals are contacting rushers behind the line on 33.6 percent of carries, the fifth-lowest rate in the league.
- Cole Kmet was non-existent for much of Week 8’s loss, which needs to change this week. Kmet has caught 27 of his 30 targets for 303 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has generated +19.5 receiving EPA, the third-most among tight ends this season. He’s also recorded +4.2 receptions over expected this season, double his career mark of +2.1 recOE.
- Arizona has generated pressure on just 26.6 percent of opposing dropbacks this season, the third-worst in the league. L.J. Collier and Zaven Collins each have 13 pressures to lead the team, but those 13 pressures are the fewest by any team leader this season.
- Caleb Williams has struggled against zone coverage this season, but Arizona’s defense has struggled against the pass in zone coverage. They utilize zone coverage just below the league average, so either Williams will see more man, or he’ll have a chance to thrive against a subpar zone defense this week. Either way, I like the matchup.
What does it all mean?
It’s been on to Arizona all week at Halas Hall, and the Bears better hope that Matt Eberflus’ determination to turn the page on the Washington loss produces a better-prepared team. His team wasn’t ready for Washington last week, and having two weeks to prepare for the Commanders’ defense and still putting up 15 points is inexcusable.
They’re running out of soft parts in the schedule, and they must be ready to take advantage of a lesser opponent in Arizona this week. The Cardinals struggle against the pass in zone coverage, generate very little pressure on dropbacks, and are among the worst in the league in making contact with rushers behind the line of scrimmage.
The Cardinals’ pedestrian front seven is just what the doctor ordered for a banged-up (and already subpar) offensive line.
Shane Waldron should burn his game plan from last week and find a way to ensure that Williams is feeding Cole Kmet. It would also be nice to see Rome Odunze be more involved in the receiving game this week. The rookie wide receiver consistently looks excellent on the All-22 and simply needs more targets. He’s a size mismatch for defenders and his route running has been crisp.