The Chicago Bears were dealt a brutal 29-9 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, with struggles on both sides of the ball leaving fans and players alike frustrated. Coach Matt Eberflus’s squad, looking to rebound after last week’s heart-wrenching loss to Washington, found themselves buried under a string of errors and missed opportunities, signaling a season sliding in the wrong direction.
Bears’ Offense Stalls as Frustration Mounts
The Bears’ offensive performance was a dismal showing, marked by missed conversions and a lack of cohesion. The team failed to score a single touchdown, managing only three successful third-down conversions out of 14 attempts. Against a Cardinals defense ranked last in the league in third-down stops, the Bears’ offensive woes were glaring. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams found himself under pressure all game, and his limited protection exposed Chicago’s inability to break through.
Even as the offense floundered, the absence of any real adjustments only deepened the frustration. A lack of execution on basic plays coupled with questionable decision-making highlighted a broader issue of inconsistency. This performance showed an offense that lacked spark, leaving Coach Eberflus to ponder his next moves to pull his team out of the rut.
Defensive Failures and Gaping Holes on the Field
Defensively, the Bears were overrun. They allowed a staggering 213 rushing yards, marking their worst performance since Week 11 of last season. The Cardinals ran through Chicago’s defense effortlessly, exposing gaps and capitalizing on missed tackles. The peak of the Bears’ defensive collapse came with a 53-yard touchdown run by Emari Demercado just before halftime. It was a moment that seemed to capture Chicago’s season in a single play: missteps, missed assignments, and an inability to recover.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus took the blame, acknowledging that his third-down pressure call left his team vulnerable to the run. However, despite Eberflus’s accountability, the fact remains that this play was emblematic of a Bears defense that has struggled to find its footing. Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, both brought in to shore up Chicago’s defensive front, couldn’t shed their blocks, allowing Demercado to slice through untouched.
Key Injuries Add to Bears’ Problems
Adding to Chicago’s troubles, several key players were forced to the sidelines with injuries. Standouts like Darnell Wright, Andrew Billings, Terell Smith, and Jaylon Jones all went down during the game. These injuries only compounded the issues the Bears faced on both ends of the field, limiting their already dwindling options.
| Player | Injury | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Darnell Wright | Leg injury | Offensive Tackle |
| Andrew Billings | Knee injury | Defensive Line |
| Terell Smith | Shoulder injury | Cornerback |
| Jaylon Jones | Ankle injury | Cornerback |
A Season Marked by Missed Opportunities and Lingering Doubts
This loss left the Bears at a crossroads, questioning their path forward. At 4-4, they find themselves part of a crowded NFC pack, struggling to stay relevant in a playoff race that’s quickly slipping out of reach. The loss to Arizona was not just a setback but a wake-up call. A middle-tier opponent outperformed them across the board, raising serious doubts about the Bears’ competitive edge and preparedness.
For Eberflus, this defeat was his 18th loss in 21 road games as the Bears’ head coach, with eight of those losses by double digits. His tenure has been marked by an inability to build any real momentum, and as the losses pile up, so do the questions about his leadership. Eberflus himself acknowledged the need to “circle the wagons” and refocus, but it’s becoming harder to see a way out of the rut they’re in.
“We have to be 5-4 by the end of next week,” safety Kevin Byard said, emphasizing the urgency as the Bears look ahead to a match against the New England Patriots. Byard’s sentiment echoed a team in desperation mode, yet one that seems more hopeful than confident.
Caleb Williams and the Weight of Expectations
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, though inexperienced, has shouldered high expectations from fans and teammates alike. But in Glendale, he faced one of his toughest challenges yet. Williams completed the game, but under relentless pressure and with little help from his teammates, his frustration showed. He was honest about the team’s response after last week’s narrow loss to Washington, indicating a lingering disappointment that the team couldn’t shake off before facing the Cardinals.
“Early on in the week, I think we could have done better overall of bouncing back,” Williams admitted. His words revealed a young player searching for resilience within a team struggling to find an identity. His learning curve has been steep, and though he’s shown flashes of potential, the Bears’ struggles aren’t making his transition any easier.
A Grim Look Ahead for Chicago
With pivotal NFC North matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions looming, the Bears face a daunting November. These games hold high stakes for a team teetering on the edge of another disappointing season. The Bears enter each of these contests as underdogs, and fans are bracing for the very real possibility that November could spell the end of their postseason hopes.
“We’ve got so much ahead of us,” Williams said, trying to maintain optimism. “We’ve got nine games left.” It’s a hopeful perspective but one that feels tenuous given the team’s track record this season.
The Bears may have the time and potential to turn things around, but the path ahead is filled with formidable opponents. And with each missed opportunity, the scrutiny on Eberflus’s leadership only intensifies. The team’s failure to perform against a bottom-ranked Cardinals defense was a red flag, and whether they can use the Patriots game as a stepping stone remains uncertain.
Still, with the clock ticking on their playoff hopes, the Bears need to address issues that run deeper than just their recent losses. With multiple players speaking up after Eberflus addressed the team in the locker room, it’s clear that frustrations are bubbling to the surface. Williams was one of those voices, emphasizing the value of player-led teams but also hinting at underlying concerns about the team’s internal unity.
“We’ve got everybody we need in that circle of men,” Eberflus said, attempting to reassure the press and fans alike. But words can only do so much; now, it’s about action, cohesion, and execution.
The Bears have talked the talk all season, but Sunday’s loss showed that they are far from walking the walk. If this team has any hope left, it will need to start with fundamentals, focus, and—most importantly—a spark that’s been missing since the season began.
