Bears' Need to Make Adjustments in These Three Areas to Beat the Cardinals in Week 9
The Chicago Bears travel to State Farm Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals at 3:05 C.T. on Sunday.
The Cardinals defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-27 last week after hitting a game-winning field goal with time expiring. This is the second week in a row and the third time this season that the Cardinals have won in that fashion.
Last week's fourth-quarter comeback was led by rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and third-year tight end Trey McBride. Harrison Jr. had three catches for 56 yards, while McBride had three catches for 40 yards. Kyler Murray also nearly had a perfect fourth quarter going 10-of-11 for 115 passing yards.
The Cardinals' consistent ability to come back in the fourth quarter this season is a concern for the Bears. Head coach Matt Eberflus has shown throughout his coaching tenure that when games are close late, he will find a way to lose instead of a way to win.
To ensure the Bears stay out of a close game on Sunday, they must follow these three keys to victory.
1. Have a plan for Marvin Harrison Jr.
Last week, the Bears didn't have a great plan to stop the Washington Commanders leading wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was matched up with McLaurin for most of the game.
While Stevenson's game is being physical, matching him up against a receiver like McLaurin is setting him up to fail. McLaurin showed that early when he beat Stevenson deep for a 61-yard gain. Yet, the Bears never matched their best cornerback Jaylon Johnson up on McLaurin. This led to McLaurin finishing the day with five catches for 125 yards.
This week, the Bears must have a better plan to defend Harrison Jr. Although Harrison Jr. hasn't gotten off to the start many expected, he's still playing well. Currently, Harrison Jr. has 26 catches on 50 targets for 411 yards and five touchdowns.
While most of Harrison Jr.'s yardage comes from two big games, last week it seemed like Murray and the Cardinals' offensive coordinator Drew Petzing were finally figuring out how to get him involved. The Bears must counter this by sticking Johnson on Harrison Jr.
Even though that may go against Eberflus's scheme, what's the point of having an elite corner if he doesn't go against an opponent's best receiver? If for some reason, Eberflus decides not to put Johnson on Harrison Jr., then they'll need to bracket him so he doesn't go off.