The Arizona Cardinals have won three games in a row and are above .500 for the first time since 2021. They defeated the Chicago Bears 29-9 Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium.
Offensively, James Conner led the team’s 213 rushing yards with 107. Trey Benson, Trey McBride and Emarti Demercado all had rushing touchdowns as quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t have to do much but manage the game. He finished the game 13-for-20 passing for 154 yards.
The defense took advantage of a shorthanded Bears offensive line, who had their third-string tackle starting. The Cardinals had a season-high six sacks, led by Zaven Collins’ two.
They held the Bears to 241 total yards, 70 rushing yards and sacked rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a season-high six times.
Here is how it went down.
3-and-out to start
The Cardinals lost the coin toss and began the game on offense. After two rushes from James Conner, Kyler Murray’s throw to Marvin Harrison Jr. was broken up by Terell Smith.
1st NFL sack for rookie ends drive
The Cardinals forced a punt on Chicago’s first possession. It ended with Caleb Williams getting sacked by rookie Xavier Thomas and L.J. Collier. It was the first sack (half sack) for Collier as a member of the Cardinals and Thomas’ first of his career.
DeeJay Dallas hurt
Kick returner DeeJay Dallas injured his shin on the opening return. He limped toward the locker room and then sprinted back, but the team announced he was questionable to return. He returned to play on the team’s next punt.
Big Dortch punt return
After the Cardinals forced the Bears to go three-and-out, Dortch took the punt 27 yards to the Chicago 41.
Trey McBride TD! Cardinals 7, Bears 0
Touchdown views brought to you by @mcbtrey pic.twitter.com/F1XUebnqXe
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 3, 2024
Trey McBride gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead with a two-yard rushing touchdown. It was his second TD of the season but had not scored on a touchdown catch. It was his first career rushing touchdown to go with the recovered fumble for a touchdown earlier this season. Conner had a 15-yard run and McBride a 15-yard catch before the score.
Cardinals 7, Bears 3
The Cardinals survived a 43-yard pass to Rome Odunze on a blown coverage and an offsides penalty on third down that gave the Bears a first down, but they kept the Bears out of the end zone. Cairo Santos kicked a 29-yard field goal to get the Bears on the board.
Marv fumbles! Cardinals turn it over
Murray connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 21-yard pass play to get past midfield, but he fumbled and Elijah Hicks recovered it and ran nine yards to the Arizona 46. They took over in Arizona territory.
Cardinals 7, Bears 6
The Cardinals allowed a first down but that was it and survive the turnover by giving up only a field goal. Santos made it from 53 yards.
Cardinals 14, Bears 6
give it up for @trey_uno1‘s FIRST career TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZnU7AUlfcZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 3, 2024
It looked like the Cardinals would fail to score a touchdown for the first time on a goal-to-goal situation as they settled on a 32-yard field goal, but the Bears were penalized for leverage and gave Arizona new life. Trey Benson scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard run. He started the drive with a 17-yard and Conner added 46 rushing yards on the possession. After his run to the one-yard line, he was upended and was examined after the play.
Cardinals 14, Bears 9
The Bears got a third field goal of the half with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter, another 53-yarder from Santos.
BIG Emari Demercado TD run! Cardinals 21, Bears 9
53-(CASUAL) YARD TOUCHDOWN@Money_E3 pic.twitter.com/Gzm3ImjxPI
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 3, 2024
Demercado busted free for a 53-yard touchdown run with four seconds left in the half. The Cardinals appeared to be playing for a field goal to end the half. Murray completed a 12-yard pass to Demercado and then a five-yard pass to McBride. After a throwaway, on third down, Murray handed the ball off to Demercado, who went untouched 53 yards for the score.
Cardinals 24, Bears 9
After forcing the Bears to go three-and-out on the opening possession of the second half, the Cardinals drove the ball 69 yards and are up nearly eight minutes of the game and got a 29-yard field goal from Chad Ryland.
Cardinals 27, Bears 9
After Zaven Collins sacked Williams on fourth down for a turnover on downs, the Cardinals added three points with a 55-yard field goal.
Safety! Cardinals 29, Bears 9
After the Cardinals punted and downed the ball at the one-yard line, D’Andre Swift was flagged for a chop block in the end zone, which gave the Cardinals a safety.
4th-down stop, Clayton Tune in
After the Cardinals forced a turnover on downs, the Cardinals went to their backups. Clayton Tune came into the game to finish.
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