NFL Week 16 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 27, Arizona Cardinals 16

The Chicago Bears got off to a fast start against the struggling Arizona Cardinals, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and sustaining a lead, even though star wide receiver D.J. Moore was clearly hobbled and tight end Cole Kmet left the game with a knee injury.

Through three quarters, no Bears wide receiver surpassed 10 receiving yards, but it didn’t matter, as Chicago dominated on the ground.

Offensive spotlight: Cardinals running back James Conner led all Arizona playmakers in rushing yards and receiving yards through three quarters, with 42 on the ground and 34 plus a score through the air. Arizona couldn’t do much of anything against a Bears defense that continues to play at a very high level. 

Bears tight end Cole Kmet produced the longest catch of his NFL career in the first half, working back to the ball on a bomb from Justin Fields to haul in a 53-yard grab that set Chicago up for a three-yard scamper touchdown from Fields a few plays later.

Kmet racked up four catches for 107 yards in the first half before unfortunately leaving the game with a knee injury. Running back Khalil Herbert added 14 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown, with the Bears offensive line clearing gaping rushing lanes against Arizona’s abysmal run defense all afternoon. 

Defensive spotlight: Cardinals edge defender Dennis Gardeck sacked Justin Fields. Star safety Budda Baker led all players with six solo tackles and nine total tackles, coming up to fit the run after first and second-level defenders struggled to make tackles.

Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon continued a great stretch of play, making plays all over the field with a sack, a quarterback hit, a tackle for loss and a forced incompletion. 

Rookie spotlight: Cardinals rookie edge defender BJ Ojulari was credited with almost a half-dozen pressures on first review and is already perhaps the best pass-rusher on the Cardinals unit. 

Bears rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had a pass deflection and came up in run support for a few tackles, always willing to be physical week in and week out with the coverage ability coming along over the season.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving