Dec 5, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals celebrate Kyler Murray’s return with win in Chicago

Kyler Murray passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more in his return from injury and the defense snagged four interceptions as the visiting Arizona Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears 33-22 on Sunday for their third win in four games.

Arizona (10-2) remained atop the NFC while clinching its first double-digit victory season since 2015 and just the fifth such campaign since the franchise relocated from St. Louis following the 1987 season.

The Cardinals persisted through a rainy afternoon that played havoc on both sides. Murray, playing for the first time in three weeks following an ankle injury, recovered his own fumble on the first snap he handled, resulting in a Chicago sack.

Three plays later, on 4th and 2, Murray connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a 20-yard touchdown pass as the Cardinals capitalized on an Andy Dalton interception on the Bears’ first possession. Hopkins (hamstring) also was back in the lineup after missing three games due to injury.

On the ensuing Bears’ possession, Arizona’s Budda Baker intercepted a Dalton pass that was dropped by a tumbling Cole Kmet and returned it 76 yards to the Chicago 15. Murray capped the drive with a nine-yard scoring run.

The Cardinals scored 23 points on four Dalton interceptions, beginning each possession inside the Bears’ 30.

Arizona took a 21-7 lead into halftime after having possession for a mere 10:46.

A 33-yard Matt Prater field goal boosted the Cardinals’ lead to 24-7 with 9:52 left in the third quarter. Chicago (4-8) responded with a 13-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 1-yard scoring pass from Dalton to Jimmy Graham to draw within 24-14. Prater added a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter.

David Montgomery rushed 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown for the Bears while adding 51 yards on eight receptions.

Dalton was 26-for-41 passing for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Jakeem Grant had five catches for 62 yards and a score.

Murray was 11-for-15 passing for 123 yards while rushing 10 times for 59 yards. James Conner ran for 75 yards and had 36 receiving yards and a score.

Veteran linebacker Bruce Irvin made his season debut for Chicago, his first appearance since suffering a torn ACL late in Week 2 of the 2020 season while playing for the Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bears chairman tells players Matt Nagy is staying

Matt Nagy is staying with the Chicago Bears. That’s if the team’s chairman, George McCaskey, is to be believed.

Multiple outlets have reported that McCaskey met with Bears players and coaches Wednesday, telling the team there was no truth to the report that their head coach would be fired after the Bears (3-7) play the Detroit Lions (0-9-1) on Thanksgiving Day.

Neither McCaskey nor anyone else in the front office has yet to comment on the matter publicly.

On Tuesday, Nagy denied the Patch.com report that said the Detroit game would be his last.

“That is not accurate,” Nagy said, adding that he didn’t expect any public votes of confidence as his attention was preparing for the Lions.

“We all have our own decisions as to how we do things, and I think this whole entire time, for me and for ownership, we’ve had great communication,” Nagy said. “Again, it’s focused on Detroit. That’s what it is.”

The Bears have lost five consecutive games and will start backup Andy Dalton at quarterback against the winless Lions.

Nagy’s Bears have scored just 163 points this season as they’ve tried to work in rookie first-round draft pick Justin Fields into the fold, despite Nagy’s background as an offensive coach. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Lions have scored fewer points.

Nagy has finished 8-8 the last two seasons after going 12-4 and winning the NFC North in his first season as Bears coach in 2018.

“My focus is on these players and Detroit, and that’s it. That’s my job as a head coach and a leader, is to do that. These players have been amazing,” he said. “They’ve been great. You have this quick turnaround after a loss like (Sunday’s to the Ravens), and now here you go. The only thing we can do is focus on the now and do everything we can. Thursday is going to be here quickly.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) fumbles the football against Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn (94) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Devonta Freeman, Tyler Huntley propel Ravens past Bears

Devonta Freeman’s 3-yard touchdown run with 22 seconds left lifted the visiting Baltimore Ravens to a 16-13 win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

After the Bears took a 13-9 lead with 1:41 remaining, the Ravens, helped by a 21-yard pass interference penalty and a 30-yard completion from quarterback Tyler Huntley to Sammy Watkins, drove 72 yards in five plays.

Andy Dalton had found Marquise Goodwin for a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:41 remaining to give Chicago (3-7) the lead.

Earlier in the fourth, Baltimore (7-3) had taken a 9-7 lead on Justin Tucker’s 46-yard field goal, his third of the day, with 3:41 to play.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was inactive because of an illness not related to COVID-19. Tyler Huntley, undrafted out of Utah in 2020, made his first NFL start and completed 26-of-36 passes for 219 yards and one interception and ran for 40 yards.

Dalton came on early in the third quarter when Justin Fields left with a rib injury after being hit on a 6-yard run. Dalton finished 11-for-23 for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

After a deflected punt, the Ravens started at the Chicago 45 with 7:29 remaining, and after seven plays, Tucker connected from 46 yards out.

In the third, Dalton took the Bears 83 yards in two plays. First, he hit Jimmy Graham for 23 yards to the 40, and then he passed to Darnell Mooney on a bubble screen and the receiver broke several tackles en route to a 60-yard touchdown … giving the Bears a 7-6 lead with 8:02 left.

The Ravens took over on the Bears 49 after stopping David Montgomery on fourth-and-1. Baltimore drove to the 22, but Huntley was intercepted by a diving Tashaun Gibson at the 14.

The Bears were driving when Fields was sacked and fumbled, with the Ravens recovering at their own 34. On third-and-10, Huntley scrambled 19 yards to the Bears 47. The Ravens drove to the Bears 17 before being forced to settle for a Tucker field goal.

Baltimore took over at their own 37 with just over a minute left in the half. On fourth-and-one at the Chicago 43, Huntley ran eight yards and the Ravens later ended the half with a 27-yard Tucker field goal.

The Ravens played without wide receiver Marquise Brown (thigh injury).

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reaches for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields practices in full, Andy Dalton limited for 2nd straight day

The Chicago Bears received the full participation of rookie quarterback Justin Fields at practice for the second straight day Thursday, easing concerns about his availability for Chicago’s next game against the Detroit Lions at home Sunday.

Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (knee) also worked out without restrictions.

Fields, the No. 11 overall draft pick in this spring’s draft, suffered a right thumb injury in his first career start against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. The Bears lost 26-6 as Fields completed just 6 of 20 passes for 68 yards.

Several teammates have been impressed by his response to that outing.

“When you go through a day like we went through on Sunday, that’s tough on everybody, especially the quarterback and especially for your first start,” tight end Cole Kmet told the team site. “It’s been cool to see his attitude towards it and him wanting to get back to work this week. I’m still excited for him. He’s an unbelievable player and I think that’s going to show.”

The position, however, remains a mystery. The Bears’ previous starting quarterback, Andy Dalton, was limited Thursday with an injured knee, and Bears head coach Matt Nagy has expressed a preference for starting Dalton.

“Andy’s the 1, Justin’s the 2 and Nick is the 3,” Nagy said earlier this week. “The starter will be sorted out once we have a clearer picture.”

Dalton was joined by wide receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) on the limited list, while linebacker Khalil Mack (foot), cornerback Xavier Crawford (back), safety Tashaun Gipson (hamstring), linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) and tight end Jesse James (personal) were held out.

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 7 Football Props: Patriots vs. Bears

NFL Week 7 Football Props: Patriots vs. Bears

It’s official: The Patriots are legitimate. Except for those living in New England, most people were silently hoping that this would be the year that the AFC reign of the Patriots would end. Following a 1-2 start, Patriots fans may have been a bit skeptical, but likely remembered that they’ve dropped at least one of the first four games over in 2017 and 2016. Since week 3, New England has put up 38+ points, and just last week took down the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in a 43-40 shootout. New England is strong, and looking to continue their hot streak.

Now the Bears have certainly found their guy in Mitch Trubisky. He’s tossed his way to 11 touchdowns, only 4 interceptions, and a QBR of 105.6. He’s put together a solid 3-2 start for the Bears, who currently sit atop the NFC North, even though the Vikings and Packers are right behind them. Four of their five games have been decided by less than one score. In those games, they’re 2-2, and allowed both the Packers and Dolphins to stage 4th quarter comebacks that led to losses for the Bears. The rout over the Buccaneers gave Chicago faithful a great deal of hope, but Sunday’s matchup with New England will be a true test for them. They come in as 3 point underdogs, but their explosive offense could prove challenging for the Patriots. Plus Khalil Mack will likely make Tom Brady’s life a bit more difficult.

Alternate lines are available at Sugar House Sportsbook if you live in the state of New Jersey.

Patriots vs. Bears Props

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Hearing Reveals Illinois Lawmakers Moving Toward Legalizing Sports Betting

If anything became clear from Wednesday’s Joint Committee on Revenue in Finance in Illinois it was this: Illinois lawmakers are eager to pass a bill legalizing sports wagering in Illinois. The question — or questions — are what the bill will look like. During the four-plus hour hearing in Springfield, lawmakers heard from gaming stakeholders, representatives from individual cities and towns, pro sports players’ associations, Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox, various horsemen’s groups and racetracks and those opposed to sports betting.

Questions from the bi-partisan panel of lawmakers almost exclusively focused on details, suggesting that many had already made the decision that legal sports betting is right for Illinois. But the devil is in the details, and when it comes to legalizing sports betting, there are many, many, many details.

The hearing was put together by Representative Bob Rita (D-District 28) and was the second of two in the last few months. Rita introduced SB 7 in 2017, and the bill has gone through multiple iterations and evolved into a comprehensive bill that contemplates online gaming and daily fantasy sports as well.

Illinois Municipalities, Potential Stakeholders to Speak at Sports Betting Hearing

The post Illinois Municipalities, Potential Stakeholders to Speak at Sports Betting Hearing appeared first on SportsHandle.

Illinois lawmakers will hold the state’s first hearing on sports betting on Wednesday in Chicago, as the state gears up to put together sports betting legislation for the 2019 session.

Representative Bob Rita (D-District 28), who has been the Democratic point person on Illinois gaming issues for five years, arranged the hearings, which will be before both the Gaming and Sales and Other Taxes House subcommittees.

The goal of the hearings is to bring stakeholders and lawmakers together in order to craft passable legislation for the next session.

City of Chicago, Illinois Horse Tracks and Video Gaming Organizations to Speak at IL Sports Betting Hearing Wednesday.

illinois sports betting robert rita
Rep. Rita.

The expected participants at Wednesday’s hearing represent government, municipalities, horse tracks, video gaming interests and others. A second hearing in October in Springfield will address sports betting, online gaming, fantasy sports.

According to a press release, the following people/groups are expected to speak at Wednesday’s hearing:

  • The State Legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability on Senate Bill 7 as amended in the House;
  • Rita on his House amendment to Senate Bill 7;
  • City of Chicago;
  • Rockford, Waukegan, South Suburbs and Danville;
  • Horse tracks seeking slots and table games – Fairmount, Hawthorne and Arlington;
  • Companies seeking to legalize sweepstakes machines;
  • Video gaming organizations – Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association, Illinois Retail Gaming Operators Association, Illinois Licensed Beverage Association; and
  • Opponents to Senate Bill 7.

Rita’s SB 7 , which would create a Chicago Gaming Authority, amend the Illinois Lottery law and establish an internet gaming board, was one of several sports betting initiatives in the Illinois state legislature last session. The bill would lay the groundwork for sports betting. Other proposals included Senator Steve Stadelman’s (D-District 34) SB 2478 and Senator Napoleon Harris’ (D-District 15) SB 3432, but neither got out of committee. There has also been much back-and-forth between those lawmakers that want to push forward with sports betting and those who want to take a slower approach.

To read the rest of this article, visit SportsHandle using the link below:

Illinois Municipalities, Potential Stakeholders to Speak at Sports Betting Hearing