All the Chicago Bears wanted for Christmas was to play the Arizona Cardinals.
The Bears had been extra productive on offense Sunday at Soldier Field than they had been one week earlier throughout a dismal collapse in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
Behind a giant recreation on the bottom, the Bears jumped to a 21-point first-half lead and held on for a 27-16 victory over the 3-12 Cardinals.
The Cardinals entered the sport because the Thirty first-ranked protection in opposition to the run, and the Bears took benefit, dashing for 250 yards. They totaled 117 dashing yards within the first half and scored two touchdowns on the bottom on the best way to a 21-7 halftime lead.
Running again Khalil Herbert had a season-high 112 dashing yards and a landing, and quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 97 yards and a TD to assist the Bears (6-9) wash away the sting of the 20-17 loss to the Browns in Week 15.
“The big boys did a great job up front today opening up some holes,” Herbert mentioned. “Last week we took it personally not being able to run the ball. We came in this week focused on the details and were able to capitalize.”
Added Fields: “After I tossed the ball or handed the ball off, Khalil had a whole lot of area to run. There had been like highways on the market. The Cardinals adjusted effectively within the second half, and there weren’t as many massive gaps as within the first half. But the O-line did an excellent job blocking.
“Khalil, Roschon (Johnson) did a great job running the ball. Really just credit to those guys for working hard and attacking practice each and every day like they do.”
Running again D’Onta Foreman missed the sport due to a private challenge.
The Cardinals nonetheless threatened the Bears within the fourth quarter after Fields’ solely turnover of the sport.
Early within the fourth, Fields scrambled for 39 yards to get to the Cardinals 14-yard line. But on the following play, he threw an interception ultimately zone to security Jalen Thompson, who reached over his head to seize the go meant for Herbert.
The Cardinals capitalized with Kyler Murray’s 38-yard landing go to Greg Dortch, which after the two-point conversion failed reduce the Bears’ result in 24-16.
The Bears went three-and-out on their subsequent drive, giving the Cardinals a possibility to tie the sport. But the protection got here up with a cease when Dortch fell making an attempt to make a catch on fourth-and-6, and Murray’s go fell incomplete.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos, who signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension Saturday, made a 29-yard field-goal try with 1 minute, 2 seconds to play to seal the win.
Fields accomplished 15 of 27 passes for 170 yards and a 1-yard landing go to tight finish Marcedes Lewis. Tight finish Cole Kmet had 4 catches for 107 yards earlier than lacking the second half with a knee harm.
Wide receiver DJ Moore additionally tweaked an ankle harm on the primary go of the sport and performed by way of it. He had three catches for 18 yards.
”You simply play to play. You can’t let who’s on the market have an effect on you,” Fields mentioned of his high two targets getting damage. “You just have to go through your reads — boom, boom, boom — and if it’s not there, it’s not there. Scramble around and make a play. I would love to have those guys out there, but it’s football. You’re probably going to get hurt at one point.”
Murray accomplished 24 of 38 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears protection didn’t report a takeaway.
The groups traded area targets to open the second half. Cardinals kicker Matt Prater made a 55-yard area aim on the primary drive of the second half to chop the Bears result in 21-10. Santos made a 49-yard area aim on the finish of the third quarter to push the Bears result in 24-10.
Here’s how the sport unfolded
Inactives: Bears RB D’Onta Foreman out
The Bears can be with out operating again D’Onta Foreman on Sunday in opposition to the Cardinals.
Foreman missed observe Thursday for private causes and was listed as questionable to play. Coach Matt Eberflus was imprecise when requested Friday whether or not Foreman can be accessible, and the Bears introduced he’s inactive.
The Bears will depend on operating backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson with Foreman out.
Tight finish Cole Kmet is energetic after coping with a quad challenge throughout observe final week.
The Bears beforehand declared out left guard Teven Jenkins, large receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and linebacker Noah Sewell. Safety Quindell Johnson and quarterback Nathan Peterman are additionally inactive.
For the Cardinals, large receiver Marquise Brown, cornerback Garrett Williams, linebackers Tyreke Smith and Victor Dimukeje, offensive linemen Carter O’Donnell and Dennis Daley and tight finish Travis Vokolek are inactive.
DJ Moore injured on Bears’ 1st drive
Bears large receiver DJ Moore was damage on Justin Fields’ first go of the day however returned later within the first quarter. He stayed down for a few minutes whereas trainers tended to him after which walked off the sector and headed to the harm tent.
He returned to the bench after his time within the tent, and trainers tended to his proper ankle. He didn’t be a part of the Bears offense on the beginning of its subsequent drive however was on the sector for Field’s 3-yard landing run for the primary rating.
Halftime: Strong operating recreation fuels 21-7 Bears lead
The Chicago Bears rushed for 117 yards within the first half on the best way to a 21-7 halftime lead in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Running again Khalil Herbert rushed for 62 yards and a landing, and quarterback Justin Fields added 32 yards and a landing on the bottom.
Fields additionally accomplished 10 of 17 passes for 135 yards and a landing with no turnovers within the half. Bears tight finish Cole Kmet had 4 catches for 107 yards.
Fields’ 3-yard landing run gave the Bears a 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 22 seconds to play within the first quarter. Fields’ 53-yard go to Kmet on the primary play sparked the drive.
Kmet additionally drew a defensive holding penalty in opposition to Starling Thomas that negated a Cardinals sack and gave the Bears first-and-goal on the 3-yard line. Fields scored on the following play.
Herbert gave the Bears a 14-0 lead when he rushed for an 11-yard landing early within the second quarter. Herbert additionally had a 15-yard keep on the drive, and Fields rushed for twenty-four yards on a designed run two performs earlier than Herbert’s landing.
After the Bears protection compelled a three-and-out on the Cardinals’ subsequent drive, the Bears took over at their 46-yard line. Eight performs later, Fields’ 1-yard landing go to Marcedes Lewis gave the Bears a 21-0 lead with 7:12 to play within the second quarter. Fields had a 29-yard go to Kmet on the drive.
The Cardinals responded with a 75-yard landing drive, capped by Kyler Murray’s 16-yard landing go to James Conner, who was alone alongside the left sideline.
Murray accomplished 10 of 17 passes for 85 yards and no turnovers. Conner had seven carries for 44 yards.
Bears security Jaquan Brisker left the sport on the Cardinals’ ultimate drive of the half after struggling an undisclosed harm. The Bears additionally introduced Kmet was questionable to return due to knee harm.
Catch up on the remainder of our protection.
Ranking QB Justin Fields’ Bears begins
Here we’re once more, Chicago, within the house stretch of one other shedding Bears season with quarterback uncertainty swirling. Justin Fields has three video games remaining in his third season and, fairly probably, in his time with the group.
Here is our rating of each NFL begin Fields has made — 1 to 35.
Jaylon Johnson guess on himself — and it paid off
Credit Jaylon Johnson for acknowledging the elephant within the room — and discovering a means to make use of it as motivation from the start.
Johnson is the uncommon NFL participant who will emerge a giant winner for betting on himself and enjoying out his contract. He’s not alone, however in an period when groups are motivated to provide early extensions with the concept of saving slightly cash and gamers like to money in as quickly as doable, Johnson is three video games from finishing the four-year, $6.46 million contract he signed after being drafted within the second spherical in 2020.
What’s subsequent for Johnson? Read extra right here.
Drive for brand spanking new stadium stalled — however choices stay open
Another Bears season is drawing to an in depth with no breakthroughs in sight for a brand new stadium — however these concerned on all sides say they’re engaged on it. And a brand new draft doc among the many workforce and Arlington Heights officers suggests potential progress.
Last month, the village held a web-based assembly with the Bears to debate a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, in accordance with paperwork the Tribune obtained by way of a Freedom of Information request.
The on-line gathering included invites to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and common counsel Cliff Stein, together with Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and different village officers. Read extra right here.
Ho ho ho
Playing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day has been a chance for the Chicago Bears solely because the Nineteen Eighties.
Why? From the league’s begin in 1920, the NFL season consisted of fewer regular-season video games and its championship often concluded earlier than or averted altogether the December holidays.
That modified in April 1971, when it was introduced 4 playoff video games would happen on Dec. 25-26. This association — with two video games every day — meant all 4 video games may very well be broadcast nationally. As the vacations drew nearer, nevertheless, followers grew to become vocal.
“I enjoy football, but is it really necessary to play on Christmas Day?” an indignant caller informed Joe McGuff, then the sports activities editor for the Kansas City Star. “This is a religious day, a family day. But apparently it makes no difference to the people who run professional football.”
The Bears performed on Christmas Eve for the primary time in 1989 and Christmas Day in 2005. Read extra right here.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com