PODCAST: Cardinals-Bears reactions, draft picks and more

Jess Root and Seth Cox look back at the Cardinals’ loss to the Bears and more in the latest edition of the podcast — episode 500!

We have a new podcast episode following the Christmas holiday. Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I look back at the Arizona Cardinals’ 27-16 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. We go over where the Cardinals pick in the first round and the possible scenarios that could play out in the final two games. We talk about the release of cornerback Marco Wilson and the injury to defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter.

It is our 500th episode!!

Enjoy the show!


Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple PodcastsSpotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!


Times and topics:

(1:00) Reactions to the Cardinals’ loss to the Bears

(33:58) The Cardinals’ picks in the first round of the 2024 draft

(48:49) Marco Wilson’s release

(59:05) Jonathan Ledbetter’s injury

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Cardinals’ Week 16 defensive snap counts, observations vs. Bears

Have a look at how the Cardinals split up their 70 defensive snaps against the Bears in Week 16.

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 27-16 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field, the defense was on the field for 70 snaps.

Four players were on the field for all 70 defensive snaps.

How was the playing time divided up?

Below are the individual snap counts for everyone who played, grouped by position.

Cardinals’ Week 16 offensive snap counts, observations vs. Bears

Check out how the Cardinals split up their 61 offensive snaps against the Bears.

The Arizona Cardinals lost on Sunday 27-16 to the Chicago Bears. In so doing, they played 61 offensive snaps.

Five players were on the field for all 61 of those snaps.

How was the playing time divided up? We have the individual snap counts, grouped by position below.

Cardinals WRs do a little better but still woefully inadequate vs. Bears

Arizona receivers combined for four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, which is an improvement. It still isn’t enough.

The Arizona Cardinals have gotten very little from their wide receivers in recent weeks. They combined for two receptions for 25 yards in their 24-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They had four total catches for 20 yards against the San Francisco 49ers.

Against the Chicago Bears in a 27-16 loss, they were a little better but still far below the standard for an NFL team. On 12 targets, they combined for four receptions for 75 yards. Greg Dortch did have a 38-yard touchdown reception.

They were playing without Marquise Brown, who missed the game with a heel injury that has nagged him since before the bye.

Since Brown injured his heel, the Cardinals have only gotten 10 total receptions from their receivers over three games.

Michael Wilson has gone catchless on seven targets in two games since his return from a shoulder injury.

In the last five games, Rondale Moore has had no more than two receptions.

Their supposed two three receivers (Brown, Wilson, Moore) have a combined five receptions for 41 yards (all from Moore) in the Cardinals’ last three games.

Yes, they are getting production from the tight ends and the running backs, but you can’t win football games with no production from the receivers.

The production has simply been inadequate.

Brown has not been a difference maker. Wilson has not proven he can be relied upon and Moore, as fast as he is, is apparently only a gadget player.

The receiving corps will need a major overhaul in the offseason. There appears to be little hope for the final two games.

Perhaps a healthy Brown will change things but it’s hard to judge Kyler Murray’s play when he is getting nothing from his wideouts.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Studs and duds in Cardinals’ 27-16 loss to the Bears

As one can imagine, there was a lack of studs for the Cardinals against the Bears.

The Arizona Cardinals lost on Sunday in Chicago to the Chicago Bears 27-16. They fell behind 21-0 and could not stop the run game.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields, running back Khalil Herbert and tight end Cole Kmet had big games.

But what about the Cardinals’ players?

Who were the studs and the duds of the game?

There were hardly studs.

Bears 27, Cardinals 16: Khalil Herbert, Justin Fields run over Arizona in Week 16 win

The Cardinals couldn’t stop tight end Cole Kmet or the Bears’ run game.

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t give themselves much of a chance on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. They fell behind 21-0 and allowed 252 yards in the first half and were unable to recover.

Kyler Murray threw two touchdown passes, James Conner had 112 yards from scrimmage and the offense did not turn the ball over.

However, they allowed the Bears to rush for 250 yards, led by Khalil Herbert’s 112.

In the end, it was a 27-16 loss, dropping the Cardinals to 3-12 with two games left in the season.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Potential player milestones, achievements for Cardinals in Week 16

Kyler Murray, James Conner, Trey McBride and Matt Prater can all reach milestones against the Bears.

The Arizona Cardinals face the Chicago Bears in Week 16 on the road. While they seek their fourth win of the year, there are some notable achievements and milestones a few of Arizona’s players can reach in the game.

Tight end Trey McBride, running back James Conner, quarterback Kyler Murray and kicker Matt Prater are featured below.

‘Madden’ sim: Bears beat Cardinals 30-27 in OT

In a simulation of the Cardinals’ game against the Bears, they lose a high-scoring, overtime battle 30-27.

The Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears play each other in Week 16 at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon. In a simulation of the game on Madden NFL 24, it was a high-scoring close game.

Quarterback Kyler Murray threw three touchdown passes and did not turn the ball over but the game went to overtime after Cairo Santos missed a would-be game-winning field goal at the end of regulation, but Santos redeemed himself with a 46-yard game-winner in overtime.

The game went back and forth with both teams leading by as many as seven points.

Murray threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson on the first drive of the game. The Bears tied it with a one-yard run by Roschon Johnson, the first of two touchdowns he had in the simulation.

Murray threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Trey McBride to take a 14-7 lead, but after a couple of punts, Johnson had another one-yard score to tie it.

Both teams exchanged 51-yard field goals in the final minute of the first half to enter halftime tied at 17.

The second half had four consecutive scoring drives. The Bears took a 24-17 lead on a two-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Justin Fields.

The Cardinals made it 24-20 with a 52-yard field goal.

Then, the Bears made it 27-20 with a 29-yard kick before Murray’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Wilson, his second score of the game, tied the game at 27 in the fourth quarter.

Santos missed from 48 yards as time expired in regulation.

The Cardinals punted twice and the Bears did once before Chicago got into field-goal range and Santo banged in a 46-yarder for the 30-27 win.

Murray completed 25-of-38 passes for 252 yards and three scores. He was sacked once by Montez Sweat.

James Conner rushed 10 times for 45 yards.

Wilson led the team with seven catches for 85 yards and two scores, while Greg Dortch had seven receptions for 66 yards and tight end Trey McBride had four for 42 yards and a touchdown.

For Chicago, FIeld completed 30-of-31 passes for 255 yards. The Cardinals did not sack him.

Roschon Johnson had 27 rushes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

D.J. Moore had a big receiving game, catching seven passes for 107 yards.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Bears inactives: RB D’Onta Foreman out, TE Cole Kmet to play

RB D’Onta Foreman is out for the Bears for personal reasons.

The Chicago Bears would take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 without their starting running back. Listed as questionable play on the final injury report for personal reasons, running back D’Onta Foremen did not play and was included on the Bears’ inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff.

Tight end Cole Kmet, questionable with a quad injury, did dress.

Who was deactivated for the Bears?

Chicago Bears Week 16 inactive list

  • QB Nathan Peterman
  • RB D’Onta Foreman
  • LB Noah Sewell
  • WR Equanimeous St. Brown
  • DB Quindell Johnson
  • OL Teven Jenkins

With no Foreman, it means a bigger role for Khalil Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson.

With Jenkins out (he was ruled out with a concussion on the final injury report), Cody Whitehair will start at left guard.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals inactives: WR Greg Dortch to play, LB Victor Dimukeje out

Greg Dortch was questionable to play for the Cardinals in Week 16. He dressed for the game.

The Arizona Cardinals released their inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff. Wide receiver Marquise Brown was previously ruled out with a heel injury but receiver Greg Dortch was questionable.

Dortch would play for Arizona against the Chicago Bears. He was not one of the inactive players.

Linebacker Victor Dimukeje, questionable with a foot injury, was.

Here are the players who did not dress for the Cardinals against the Bears.

Arizona Cardinals Week 16 inactive list

  • WR Marquise Brown
  • CB Garrett Williams
  • LB Tyreke Smith
  • LB Victor Dimukeje
  • OL Carter O’Donnell
  • OL Dennis Daley
  • TE Travis Vokelek

Williams was ruled out with a knee injury. Smith only been with the team a week. Vokelek was signed this week, too.

Cornerback Antonio Hamilton, questionable with a calf injury, was active and dressed for the game.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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