The Arizona Cardinals take on the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field for a Week 16 matchup. The Cardinals will need solid performances from a number of players on Sunday if they are going to win.
Who are the players to watch this week for Arizona, either because they need to play well or are in a position to do more than normal?
Check them out below.
QB Kyler Murray
Yes, Murray is on the “players to watch” list every week, but for good reason. Cardinals fans are waiting for that big breakout game from him since his return. He has played pretty well but has not had an eye-popping game yet.
RB James Conner
The Bears are No. 1 in rush defense, so the Cardinals need Conner to keep being Conner. He has been so good all season. They need another strong performance from him.
WRs Rondale Moore, Michael Wilson
Hollywood Brown is out. Greg Dortch appears to be out. The Cardinals absolutely need production from Wilson and Moore. The Cardinals can’t sustain offensive success if the receivers have only four catches for 20 yards like last week.
TE Trey McBride
McBride has 25 receptions for 251 yards over his last three games. Can he keep up that pace?
TE Elijah Higgins
Higgins has had a few targets over the last few games. after Geoff Swaim got hurt, he had four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. He now is the No. 2 tight end in the offense and could see more action.
RT Paris Johnson
Montez Sweat has six sacks in six games since joining the Bears. Johnson will be the primary guy he rushes against.
LB Krys Barnes
Barnes will now take over the green dot on defense as the MIKE linebacker with Kyzir White and Josh Woods both on injured reserve.
The Cardinals need him to be solid.
DT Dante Stills
The Cardinals have not had a sack in the last three games. The Bears will be without left guard Teven Jenkins. The Bears’ pass protection has been an issue and they are weakest on the interior. Stills, the best interior rusher the Cardinals have, could make an impact.
More Cardinals and NFL coverage
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
