The Cardinals’ run game is coming off a strong performance in their Sunday 45-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It’s hardly something to laugh at when you score two touchdowns and amass 234 yards on 30 carries against one of the league’s best defenses.
Conversely, though, the Bears run defense is hoping to build on another dominant game in 2023.
As Ron Wolfley, color analyst for the Cardinals and co-host of Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke, has stated, “it’s time to strap up the boots and scrape up the knuckles” for this week’s Cardinals run game.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing stated on Tuesday, “It’s a combination of players and coaching.” “Matt Eberflus, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, is an amazing coach. He is an excellent coach for such defense.
“He has always been successful, and they do have players who are a good fit for that system. They play at the level he desires, and they play hard. They play with a lot of aggression and discipline, and their dynamic front seven really helps them succeed.
With seven touchdowns allowed on the ground, third in yards allowed per attempt (3.5) and the fewest running yards allowed per game (79.8) in the league as of Week 16.
To put it plainly, James Conner, Kyler Murray, and the other runners in Arizona’s lineup will have their hands full on Sunday.
The team is currently playing incredibly well, quarterback Kyler Murray stated on Wednesday. Based on statistical analysis, they rank among the league’s top defenders. There are many excellent players there who play hard, quickly, and physically, so we must be prepared to play.
But Arizona has a decent chance of winning if James Conner, Aaron Murray, and the rest of their rushing attack can establish themselves early on.
The Bears are 1-3 in the four occasions this season that they have given up at least 100 rushing yards. When the measurements are reduced to 87 yards or greater, the number increases to 1-6.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are seventh in the league in rushing yards per game (131.8), and have won all of their games when they have gained 122 yards or more on the ground.
In that sense, it really is iron against iron.
However, if you turn the tables, one person stands out as the winner.
With 134.4 yards per game, the Bears’ run offense is seventh in the NFL, not far behind the team’s excellent run defense from 2023.
Arizona, on the other hand, has the second-worst run defense in the NFL, giving up opponents to rush for around 140 yards per game and ranking among the bottom five in terms of touchdowns allowed (17).
Matt Prater, the underrated X-factor
Trey McBride, Hollywood Brown, Murray, and Conner usually spring to mind first when one thinks of the Cardinals and points scored because of their propensity for huge plays on offense.
However, if you look at the Cardinals’ 2023 point leader, it’s not even close—none of the four.
No, kicker Matt Prater deserves that distinction. He has scored 85 points so far this season and is averaging little more than a touchdown per game in 2023. Conner, at 35, is the Cardinal who is next closest.
That will occur when the kicker, who is 16 of 17 this year on extra points, converts 23 of his 26 field goal attempts.
“Having Matt changes everything,” Murray remarked on Wednesday. “A guy who has a shot to knock those in if you can get it to the (40- or 45-yard line). You can see that these players are hitting amazing field goals throughout the league in some of these games. It’s enormous.
He really is an X-factor. It goes without saying that we don’t want him kicking 50- and 60-yarders outside. Though it’s important that we trust on him and that he’s out there protecting us, we still want to get the ball into the end zone.
Prater, who currently ranks 13th in the NFL’s all-time list of career field goals, not only set a new franchise single-season record with eight field goals of at least 50 yards, but it’s just another season of getting it done for him. He can move up to the 12th slot, ahead of Matt Bryant (397) with two more field goals.
Additionally, he has given Gannon and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers an additional voice to rely on, particularly when the weather is bad.
Gannon stated on Wednesday, “Jeff and Him communicate to me extremely well.” “How we’re kind of setting those things up right now, before the game, and while the game is in progress. He’s undoubtedly a great complement to our club, but I will rely a lot on him because he played in that division for a considerable amount of time and is familiar with Soldier Field.
Master vs. apprentice
Two head coaches who are familiar with each other are seated at the top of the matchup.
During their three seasons together (2018–20) in Indianapolis, Gannon coached the defensive backs for the Colts under defensive coordinator Eberflus at the time.
One of Gannon’s greatest mentors, Eberflus is credited by the Cardinals coach with inspiring much of his style.
“When I think back on my three years of working for him, his exceptional leadership abilities immediately spring to mind. I gained a great deal of knowledge about player management, practice techniques, importance, and motivating players to reach their potential. For me, schematics were entirely different, even if we currently use a lot of those items. The way you measure performance, how you hold players accountable, and how you play the game,” Gannon stated.
“The fact that the club has improved is not shocking at all, as our defense consistently improved during the three years I worked with him. We had a rather rocky beginning, but as the year progressed, we improved steadily. .. I have nothing but praise for him. Seeing him will be beneficial. He is an amazing man. His family is wonderful. It will be nice to see him because they have really assisted me, but he is a head coach for a reason. He is among those guys.
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