Cassie goes 1-on-1 with Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore
The Bears’ offense has struggled to find consistency this year, but has also shown moments of success. Cassie Carlson goes one-on-one with Bears star receiver DJ Moore, a key part of that success.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The calendar turns to November and the Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of the playoff race.
Now quarterback Kyler Murray says the real football begins.
“I think teams are kind of dying out and getting complacent,” Murray said. “I think teams get out of their own way at this time of year. There are a lot more games lost than won.”
The Cardinals (4-4) will look to snap a three-game winning streak when they host the Chicago Bears (4-3), who are also in the thick of the playoff race with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Arizona has won three of its past four games, all on fourth-quarter comebacks, and is tied with the 49ers and Seahawks atop the NFC West.
Murray was in a good position earlier at this point in the schedule. In 2021, the Cardinals looked like a Super Bowl-caliber team after winning their first seven games, but they finished the season with a 4-6 record and were quickly eliminated from the playoffs in the wild card round by the Los Angeles. Rams.
“We won early in the year,” Murray said. “Now we just have to hang in there for the next few months and really keep improving and focus on what we need to focus on.”
The Bears are coming off a brutal 18-15 loss that ended with Washington’s winning Hail Mary as time expired.
The loss was even more tumultuous after cameras caught Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson gesturing to the crowd and turning his back to him as the Commanders grabbed the ball on their game-winning play.
Stevenson apologized and coach Matt Eberflus said any discipline would be handled internally. Williams said the Bears can’t let one bad moment ruin a season.
“Right now we just have to focus on going out and winning this game,” Williams said. “We had 24 hours to feel how we felt, but we have to move on.”
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Be responsible
A major talking point around the Bears this week had to do with accountability and whether the team and coaches were on the same page.
Some players openly questioned the calls from the sidelines after the Washington loss.
Receiver DJ Moore mentioned the fourth-quarter handoff call to offensive lineman Doug Kramer near the goal line during a radio interview. The Bears fumbled the exchange and the commanders recovered.
On the same show, cornerback Jaylon Johnson wondered why the Bears hadn’t called a timeout prior to the Hail Mary to organize themselves and make sure everyone knew their assignment.
“I’m going to be the man that I’ve been, the leader that I’ve been, and just stay steadfast through the whole process,” Eberflus said. “We are a team that is growing and we are a team that is getting better. We will overcome this adversity.”
Protect Murray
Arizona’s offensive line has not allowed a sack in three straight games, the longest stretch for the franchise dating back to 1975.
“I can’t say enough about those guys,” Murray said. “The offensive group and that relationship, they really are the heart and soul of pretty much every team. We go the way they go and they know it. I just love that group.”
Murray’s protection is anchored by left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., a second-year player who moved from right tackle to left side during the offseason. Center Hjalte Froholdt is also an important part and helps organize a line that has been disrupted by injuries.
Johnson said he is proud of keeping Murray upright for three straight weeks, even as he warned against complacency.
“That’s what it’s all about — that’s the sole purpose of pass protection,” Johnson said.
Caleb Williams rebound
Williams will look to bounce back from a rough outing after putting in some solid performances prior to parting ways with Chicago.
The No. 1 overall draft pick and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California completed the fewest passes of his young career, going 10 for 24. In addition to the fumbled handoff with Kramer, he took a 15-yard sack that put Chicago off the field hit. -target range.
It was a big change from the three games prior to Chicago’s bye. Williams was a combined 60 of 81 for 687 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception in wins over the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I think we have to start quickly and find ways to do that,” Williams said. “We’ve got to figure out ways to keep that going and keep it going for four quarters, or however many times you play, to be able to win games.”
A slow start has been a major problem. The Bears only have 10 points in the first quarter.
Big Ryland
There’s at least one common theme in the Cardinals’ past three wins: kicker Chad Ryland has sealed them with clutch kicks.
Ryland made a 35-yard field goal with 1:31 left, which proved to be the difference against the 49ers, and then hammered a 32-yarder against the Chargers and a 34-yarder against the Dolphins, both as time expired. The second-year player from Maryland has shot 8 of 9 on field goals since taking over for veteran Matt Prater, who is out with a knee injury.
“He’s a prime-time player,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. ‘But in practice he does. In practice we try to upset him. He currently has ice water running through his veins.