Tag: Cards

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) escapes a tackle by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Cardinals put on offensive display in routing 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kyler Murray tied a career high with four touchdown passes and did not throw an interception Sunday to lead the Arizona Cardinals to a 47-24 victory and season sweep of the San Francisco 49ers at Glendale, Ariz.

Murray was 25 of 35 for 242 yards for Arizona, which concluded its season 8-9.

San Francisco (6-11) played without starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) and receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs and wrist).

Arizona did not play leading rusher James Conner (knee).

Purdy’s replacement Joshua Dobbs started eight games for the Cardinals last season while Murray nursed a knee injury.

Dobbs completed 29 of 43 pass attempts on Sunday for 326 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Patrick Taylor Jr. rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries for the 49ers.

Arizona’s Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride had seven catches for 65 yards, finishing with a franchise-best 111 for a tight end and five receptions shy of Zach Ertz’s NFL record for most catches in a season at that position.

Ertz had 116 with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. He later played for Arizona before joining Washington this season.

The game included 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings and Arizona cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting ejected in the second quarter after they got into a shoving match.

Before that occurred, the Cardinals converted a Murphy-Bunting interception into a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Seven plays after the interception, Murray completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Greg Dortch, giving Arizona a 10-3 lead with 12:55 left in the half.

Dobbs engineered two scoring drives in the second quarter that included his 1-yard scoring run and a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Pearsall.

Also in the second quarter, Murray completed a 2-yard scoring strike to McBride and a 25-yard pass to Zay Jones that set up Chad Ryland’s 49-yard field goal as the half came to an end, putting Arizona ahead 20-17.

The teams continued to trade touchdowns in the third quarter with Murray completing a 2-yard scoring pass to Dortch and Dobbs connecting with Kyle Juszczyk for a 36-yard score.

Michael Carter put Arizona ahead 33-24 with 14:16 left in regulation on a 4-yard touchdown run.

Murray’s fourth touchdown pass, a 12-yard pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., increased the lead to 40-24 with 5:47 left. Harrison’s eight TD catches this season tied the franchise record for rookies, shared with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

Tony Jones’ 46-yard touchdown run with 1:47 left closed the scoring, producing the most points for Arizona in a game since 2015.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

49ers, Cardinals to end season with backups in starting roles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Out of the postseason race, the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are preparing to start backups because of injuries for their season-ending matchup Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback in place of Brock Purdy, who suffered a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in Monday’s 40-34 loss to the visiting Detroit Lions.

Dobbs, who played eight games for the Cardinals (7-9) last season while Kyler Murray nursed a knee injury, finished Monday’s game for San Francisco (6-10).

He played five snaps, completing three of four pass attempts for 35 yards and rushing for a 7-yard touchdown.

Brandon Allen started for Purdy earlier in the season in a 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers when the latter was out with a shoulder injury.

“(Dobbs has) been great, him and Brandon,” Shanahan said. “They’ve been two good guys to have there. They both have given really good looks in the scout team.

“They split reps, and they’re always ready. They both prepare like they’re going to be the starter every week. They’ve been great.”

Tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs, wrist) and defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) were noted non-participants in practice through Wednesday.

Arizona placed running back James Conner (knee) on injured reserve this week and signed Michael Carter off the practice squad. Rookie running back Trey Benson (ankle) was also placed on injured reserve, with offensive lineman Nick Leverett signed from the practice squad to fill the roster vacancy.

Carter played the last two games because of the injuries to Conner and Benson and totaled 88 yards on 18 carries and seven receptions for 41 yards.

DeeJay Dallas, the only other running back on the 53-man roster, is likely to get carries. Arizona also has Tony Jones Jr. and Hassan Hall on its practice squad.

“They all have their roles, but (Carter’s) going to get a bunch of carries, I’m sure,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said.

The teams last met in Santa Clara, Calif., on Oct. 6, when the Cardinals improved to 2-3 with a 24-23 win.

After losing the next week at Green Bay, Arizona won four consecutive games to improve to 6-4 and stand atop the NFC West going into its bye week.

However, the Cardinals have lost five of their last six, including two against division rival Seattle Seahawks, to fall out of playoff contention.

Murray is coming off a 33-completion, 321-yard performance against the host Los Angeles Rams but had two interceptions in the 13-9 loss.

Arizona’s lone touchdown was a 1-yard completion from Murray to Trey McBride, who caught his first score this season. He finished with 12 catches for 123 yards.

“I think for me, and any player in general, going into the last game and the offseason, I think it’s big to feel good about your last performance,” Murray said. “Me, personally, I would like to go into the offseason playing well and have that on my mind.”

Shanahan mentioned that although 11 San Francisco players missed practices this week and receiver Ricky Pearsall (illness, chest) and safety Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle) were limited, the last game is not viewed as a way to get reps for younger players.

“Rosters aren’t built like that,” Shanahan said. “You get to sit five to seven guys. You can sit seven if you bring up two practice squad guys. You don’t just sit there and tell every guy who is a veteran he’s going to be the backup and play special teams.

“We don’t have rosters like that really anywhere. You’ve got to balance it out to make sure you’ve got 48 guys who can play.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Chuba Hubbard helps Panthers eliminate Cardinals

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Chuba Hubbard ran 21 yards for an overtime touchdown and Bryce Young threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Carolina Panthers ended the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff prospects by winning their home finale 36-30 on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.

Hubbard, who had a 28-yard run on the play prior to his winning rush, compiled 152 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries as the Panthers (4-11) halted a four-game losing streak.

Young was 17-for-26 for 158 yards in the air and gained 68 yards on five rushing attempts.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was 20-for-32 for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception as Arizona (7-8) was eliminated from playoff consideration.

James Conner gained 117 rushing yards on 15 carries before leaving with a knee injury and Chad Ryland booted three field goals, including a tying 58-yarder on the last play of regulation.

Arizona converted a fourth-and-2 from its own 18 in overtime, but then went backward and ended up punting from its own 4-yard line. Carolina won it two plays later.

Young’s second touchdown throw of the game went for 18 yards to David Moore, so Carolina held a 30-20 edge with 12:04 to play. That marked the most points for the Panthers with Young at quarterback in either of his two seasons.

Arizona used more than five minutes on the ensuing possession, scoring on Murray’s 20-yard run with 6:56 remaining.

The Cardinals got the ball back with 4:52 left following a Carolina punt. Three plays later after reaching Panthers territory, Demani Richardson intercepted Murray. It was the rookie’s first pick.

But Arizona got the ball back after a punt and moved 35 yards to set up Ryland’s third field goal.

Hubbard’s 4-yard run provided the game’s first points as Carolina completed a 15-play drive that lasted almost eight minutes in the first quarter.

Only Ryland’s 48-yard field goal gave Arizona much hope across the first seven minutes of the second quarter.

Young ran for a 23-yard touchdown on a drive that included a career-long 34-yard run. Less than four minutes later, following an Arizona fumble, Young tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen. The Panthers converted off the turnover by needing to go only 30 yards.

Trailing 20-3, the Cardinals went 70 yards in four plays with Conner scoring on a 6-yard run. They closed within 20-17 with Murray’s 1-yard flip to DeeJay Dallas with seven seconds to play in the first half.

Eddy Pineiro’s 29-yard field goal and Ryland’s 30-yarder in the third quarter kept the margin at three points entering the fourth.

Conner eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) tries to evade New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024.

Cardinals bid to make postseason push in clash vs. Panthers

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The Arizona Cardinals consider themselves to be in a must-win situation across the final few weeks of the season.

And that will be so true on Sunday when they visit the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.

“From here on out, we got to win them all and that’s our mindset going into everything,” Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams said. “But there’s definitely a heightened sense of urgency.”

The Cardinals (7-7) are flirting with NFC playoff position after halting a three-game losing streak with a 30-17 victory over the visiting New England Patriots last weekend.

The Panthers (3-11), who have lost four games in a row, hold the third-worst record in the NFL. Sunday will mark the team’s home finale.

“Here we go, we’ve got another challenge,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They’re going to keep coming.”

Carolina lost tight games to divisional leaders Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia before dropping a 30-14 decision to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.

In Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon’s view, that turnover-ravaged result can be dismissed when assessing the Panthers.

“I think if you look, their last six games they’ve played really good ball,” Gannon said. “I think they’ve turned the corner. We’re going to have to play our brand of ball if we want to win.”

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young committed four turnovers against Dallas, but he had a strong stretch of outings leading into that game. Gannon said he sees creativity from the Panthers when it comes to using Young, a second-year quarterback.

“I think he has really taken a step forward with the play-making capabilities,” Gannon said. “Obviously, he’s mobile and that’s real.”

Yet Young’s gaffes last week have pushed his season totals to nine interceptions and eight touchdown throws. He has run for three touchdowns.

“I’m really hoping for Bryce to just take that next step, to execute the game plan,” Canales said. “To be special when called upon.”

The Cardinals made off-field moves that might bode well in the big picture, including in the final weeks of this season.

Safety Budda Baker, running back James Conner and center Hjalte Froholdt were given contract extensions. With those decisions, there’s a heightened level of buy-in for those players and the team. Baker has been a captain for five seasons.

“I think they help keep everybody in alignment and they’re premier players,” Gannon said. “And they’re good people, and that’s who we want to build the team around.”

Conner has rushed for a team-high 973 yards this year. He’s coming off a 110-yard outing at New England for his second-highest total of the season and his fifth time reaching 100 yards this year.

Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark earlier this month, but he was held to the second-lowest total of the season with 32 yards on the ground last week. Carolina running back Raheem Blackshear (chest) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

But Panthers linebackers Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus are out for the season after going on injured reserve.

“It could be a great opportunity for (other) guys to get in there and see what they can do,” Canales said.

The Cardinals have adjusted their roster, notably on special teams. Kicker Matt Prater is eligible to return for the first time since Week 4 following knee surgery. Punter Michael Palardy was added to the roster.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cardinals stay in playoff picture with win over Patriots

Posted on | by Field Level Media

James Conner rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns Sunday as the Arizona Cardinals stayed in the NFC West race with a 30-17 win over the New England Patriots in Glendale, Ariz.

Conner blew it open in the fourth quarter with a pair of 1-yard scores as Arizona (7-7) snapped a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Kyler Murray completed 23 of 30 passes for 224 yards as the Cardinals outgained New England 395-311.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye hit 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Patriots, who fell to 3-11. Rhamondre Stevenson led their rushing attack with 69 yards on 13 attempts.

Arizona is 1 1/2 games behind Seattle, pending the outcome of the Seahawks’ game against Green Bay on Sunday night. The Cardinals lost both games to the Seahawks this season, so they lose any tiebreaker for the division title.

Arizona established a 10-0 lead in the first quarter as former New England kicker Chad Ryland hit the first of his three field goals, a 49-yarder, at the 7:13 mark. Then Jonah Williams recovered Greg Dortch’s fumble in the end zone with 1:21 remaining in the period.

Joey Slye nailed a 50-yard field goal with 2:01 left in the first half to get the Patriots on the board, but Ryland answered by hitting a 35-yard attempt with 16 seconds remaining for a 13-3 lead at the break.

Ryland made it 16-3 with a 40-yard field goal at the 9:07 mark of the third quarter, capping a drive that ate nearly six minutes of clock. The first of Conner’s touchdown runs came with 10:39 left in the game for a three-score lead.

New England got into the end zone on its next possession via Maye’s 3-yard scoring strike to DeMario Douglas with 8:14 remaining. But Conner sealed the outcome on his second touchdown run with 3:27 on the clock.

Maye capped the scoring with a 5-yard run at the 1:55 mark, capping a 70-yard drive.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 8, 2024.

Cardinals face Patriots, look to stay in playoff hunt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With their playoff chances slipping away, the Arizona Cardinals will host the New England Patriots on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.

Both teams are on three-game losing streaks, but while the Patriots (3-10) are in last place in the AFC East and long ago lost hope for a postseason berth, the Cardinals (6-7) are crunching the numbers to figure out how they can remain in the chase.

Arizona is two games out of both the NFC West lead and the last wild-card spot, giving them two options to chase. While they would need to jump three teams to land a wild-card berth, they have to slip past two teams — the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams — to take the division.

None of it matters if the Cardinals can’t get past the Patriots, and even then a victory would merely mean an 11 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, according to the NFL’s playoff probability counter.

Arizona’s most recent defeat came against the NFC West-leading Seahawks, 30-18 after giving up 17 points in the first quarter last Sunday. It was their second loss to the Seahawks, giving Seattle the tiebreaker between the teams, essentially putting Arizona three games back in the division if the Seahawks win out.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passed for 259 yards but threw an interception on one first-quarter drive, then threw another pick on his first pass of the next possession.

“Heavy is the crown, I tell him,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said of Murray. “He gets a lot of blame, and he gets a lot of praise, too. That’s life in the National Football League as the franchise quarterback.”

James Conner had 90 yards rushing on 18 carries for Arizona, and Trey McBride had seven receptions for 70 yards. But the Cardinals’ defense gave up 176 rushing yards, including 134 to Zach Charbonnet.

“I’ve got to find some answers,” Gannon said. “We haven’t played good ball the last couple of weeks, and that falls on me.”

The Patriots will enter off their bye week after getting an extra week to correct mistakes made during consecutive defeats to the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

In a 25-24 loss in their most recent game, on Dec. 1 against the Colts, the Patriots surrendered a 19-play, 80-yard drive — and the go-ahead touchdown — with 12 seconds remaining.

New England quarterback Drake Maye threw for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception that came on New England’s opening drive of the second half. In his rookie season, Maye has fared well, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,696 yards, 11 TDs and eight interceptions in nine games (eight starts).

“Really, the goal remains the same, and that’s to play our best football at the end of the year,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “It’s all about winning. … It’s all about going out there, playing complementary football, and that’s what we want to see.”

The Cardinals were without running back Emari Demercado (back) and punter Blake Gillikin (foot) in practice Wednesday, while defensive linemen Naquan Jones (shoulder), Roy Lopez (ankle) and Darius Robinson (calf) were among those with limited participation.

The Patriots were without wide receiver Javon Baker (concussion) on Wednesday, as well as cornerback Marcus Jones (illness). Limited participants included safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (knee), and offensive lineman Cole Strange (knee).

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) reacts during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Seahawks head to Arizona on stay-ahead mission in division race

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before the season began, most NFL pundits likely would’ve considered the Week 14 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals a game with NFC West ramifications such as avoiding last place or fighting for draft position.

Instead, for the second time in three weeks, the Seahawks and Cardinals will be playing with the division lead on the line on Sunday when they meet in Glendale, Ariz.

And this time, it’s the Seahawks who are out front.

Seattle (7-5) has won three consecutive games for the second time this season — sandwiched around a 1-5 stretch — to take a one-game lead over Arizona (6-6) and the Los Angeles Rams (6-6). The injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers (5-7) reside in the cellar.

The Seahawks beat visiting Arizona 16-6 on Nov. 24 as defensive back Coby Bryant returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown and Leonard “Big Cat” Williams had four quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks of Kyler Murray.

Williams was even better last Sunday in a 26-21 victory at the New York Jets, as he had two sacks, three tackles for loss, a blocked extra point and a 92-yard interception return — the longest pick-6 in NFL history by a defensive lineman.

He became the first player since 1982 with multiple sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a blocked kick in a game. He was named the NFC defensive player of the week.

“He’s just playing at an all-time elite level,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “He’s playing out of his mind right now.”

The Seahawks have some question marks on special teams. Seattle allowed a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week and fumbled three fielded kickoffs of their own — losing two. Plus, Michael Dickson was unable to punt in the fourth quarter because of back spasms.

Seattle released returner Laviska Shenault Jr. on Monday. One option could be sure-handed veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The 32-year-old has experience in the punt return game. No. 3 running back Kenny McIntosh was a kickoff returner at Georgia and has two returns this season. Undrafted free agent rookie defensive back Dee Williams is the lone player on the roster to return a punt this season (21 fair catches, 15 returns, 7.4-yard average).

“I’d say both returner spots in the punt and the kickoff return game we’re working through still, so we don’t have an answer quite yet,” Macdonald said.

Arizona lost 23-22 last Sunday at Minnesota and dropped consecutive games to yield the division lead to Seattle. The Cardinals never trailed until the Vikings’ Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 remaining.

The Cardinals managed just one touchdown and settled for five field goals, in part because they committed 10 penalties that cost them 96 yards.

“I thought we moved the ball well,” said Murray, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.”

Coach Jonathan Gannon admitted his team was frustrated after struggling the past two weeks.

“They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.”

Murray fed tight end Trey McBride — up to 73 catches and 32 more than the team’s second-leading receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (41) — who caught all 12 targets and has back-to-back 12-catch games. That includes 12-133 in the first meeting with the Seahawks.

Williams (foot) was one of only two Seahawks to miss time this week because of an injury, although he has practiced sparingly over the past two weeks. The other was right tackle Abe Lucas, who has been getting some time off after offseason knee surgery. Dickson was a limited participant in practice, though Macdonald seemed optimistic the punter would be ready by Sunday. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), who could come off the injured list this week, was a full participant in practice.

The Cardinals didn’t have anyone miss practice this week because of injuries, although defensive linemen Darius Robinson (calf) and Dante Stills (back) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates as he walks off the field after their 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium.

Cardinals RB James Conner signs 2-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner signed a two-year contract extension on Saturday.

Financial terms were not announced by the team, however multiple media outlets reported the deal was worth $19 million.

Conner, who will turn 30 in May, will be under contract through the 2026 season. He was scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

Conner has 166 carries for 705 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games (all starts) this season. He also has 29 catches for 288 yards.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Conner has rushed for 5,581 yards and 56 touchdowns to go along with 263 receptions for 2,091 yards and 10 scores in 102 career games (76 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cardinals.

Conner was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) smells smelling salts as he and the Houston Texans waits for a call in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Report: Free agent OT D.J. Humphries (torn ACL) cleared to return

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Former Pro Bowl offensive tackle D.J. Humphries has been medically cleared for all football work, NFL Network reported on Friday.

Humphries, who is a free agent, has been working his way back from a torn ACL sustained last season while playing with the Arizona Cardinals. The former first-round draft pick visited the New York Giants last month.

Humphries, 30, started 15 games last season and all 98 in which he’s played since the Cardinals selected him with the 24th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus watches from the sidelines against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bears try to bounce back from Hail Mary disaster in Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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.”

–Field Level Media