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Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read
Dec. 5, 2021
Joe Hedrick
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Week 13 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET

The Arizona Cardinals (9-2) head to Chicago to take on the Bears (4-7) as 7.5-point road favorites. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Soldier Field and can be viewed on FOX.

Score Prediction

Cardinals 24, Bears 17

Best Bets

Bears +8 (-110) at WynnBet

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Predictions

Arizona QB Kyler Murray may finally return to the lineup after suffering an ankle injury against the Packers on October 28. The Cardinals currently stand atop the NFC, one game ahead of the Packers and Buccaneers. Chicago enters the game sitting in third place in the NFC North. While they have not been eliminated from the playoffs just yet, the chances are getting slimmer each and every week.

The Cardinals have looked like the team to beat this year. Even with Colt Mccoy under center during Murray’s absence, the Cardinals still won and covered in two of the three games. They are a perfect 6-0 on the road this season ATS. With chants around the city to fire head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears are struggling to say the least. They have failed to cover in four of their last five games.

Despite the Bears ATS record this season (4-7), I like them to cover in this game at +7.5. Kyler Murrayhas not played football in over a month and it will take him some time to get back into the swing of things. This is a huge factor that I believe people are overlooking. Coming back from anything after a month is tough. The NFL is no different.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds




Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Betting Resources

  • Matchup: NFC West vs. NFC North
  • Date: Sunday, December 5, 2021
  • Venue: Solider Field
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

Week 13 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 4:00 p.m. through 8:20 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 9-2
  • ATS: 8-3
  • O/U: 5-6
  • ATS - Home: 2-3
  • ATS - Away: 6-0

Arizona enters week 13 coming off a much-needed bye. The Cardinals have been without both QB Kyler Murray and Deandre Hopkins. On Monday head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he’s hopeful both players will return this week. The Cardinals have been able to maintain a 2-1 record during Murray and Hopkins absence.

The Cardinals offense has been a well-balanced attack all season long. They come into this game averaging 378.9 YPG (10th), 255.9 passing YPG (9th), 123 rushing YPG (10th), and 28.2 PPG (5th). If Murry does indeed come back, I think the offense may be just a tad bit slower than what we are used to seeing. The Cardinals may favor the run heavily to keep him from getting hit. Additionally, with Chase Edmonds (RB) still inactive keep an eye out for James Connor (RB) as he could see a lot of action this week.

Arizona’s defense has been consistent all year. Allowing 317.8 YPG (5th), 204 passing YPG (4th), 113 rushing YPG (17th), and 18.4 PPG (4th). The Cardinals will need to focus on the run as the Bear's passing game is virtually non-existent. They have created 19 turnovers thus far and there is a chance that number will increase after Sunday’s game, as the Bears are giving the ball up an average of about once per game.

Chicago Bears Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 4-7
  • ATS: 4-7
  • O/U: 3-8
  • ATS - Home: 2-3
  • ATS - Away: 2-4

Chicago is coming off a close 16-14 victory over the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Prior to the victory, Chicago had lost its last five games. The Bears have struggled to score the ball all season long. They come into this game averaging just 16 points per game (29th). A win seems almost impossible at this point for the Bears, but as a gambler I do find value in them at +7.5.

Chicago’s offense has struggled all season and ranks as one of the worst in the league. Averaging 296.1 YPG (30th), 169 passing YPG (32nd), 126.3 rushing YPG (8th), and 16 PPG (29th). Expect the Bears to run the ball heavily as that is the Cardinals’ biggest weakness on defense. Not to mention, no one is ever quite sure who the QB will be on any given week for the Bears. Chicago will want to slow the pace of this one and keep the Cardinals offense off of the field as much as possible.

The Bear's defense has struggled but looked better than the offense throughout the season. Allowing 334.4 YPG (10th), 215.8 passing YPG (8th), 118.5 rushing YPG (22nd), and 23.1 PPG (18th). They have forced just 11 turnovers this year (5 interceptions, 6 fumbles). Look for the Bears to try and put pressure on Murray as they have 32 sacks on the season (2nd).


Chicago has gone UNDER the point total in eight of its last 10 games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Arizona Cardinals

  • Record: 9-2
  • Division Standing: 1st - NFC West
  • Points Scored: 310
  • Points Allowed: 202
  • PS/G: 28.2 (5th)
  • PA/G: 18.4 (4th)
>

Inside the Stats - Chicago Bears

  • Record: 4-7
  • Division Standing: 3rd - NFC North
  • Points Scored: 179
  • Points Allowed: 254
  • PS/G: 16.3 (29th)
  • PA/G: 23.1 (18th)

Key Players to Watch

  • ARI: James Conner - RB (146 carries, 555 yards, 12 TD)
  • ARI: Christian Kirk - WR (49 catches, 628 yards, 4 TD)
  • CHI: David Montgomery - RB (113 carries, 476 yards, 3 TD)
  • CHI: Darnell Mooney - WR (46 catches, 694 yards, 3 TD)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Betting Conclusion

With 76% of the bets coming in on Arizona –7.5, the majority of the public likes the Cardinals to cover in this one. I do not. Assuming Murray and Hopkins both return, this will be a get right game. Easing them back into the offense and not forcing anything. After all, they do face the Rams on Monday night in week 14. Bigger fish to fry, if you will. I’m backing the Bears +7.5.

If you’re not comfortable with the spread in this one, the total is currently set at 43.5. 53% of bets are currently on the over. The Cardinals come into this one with a 5-6 O/U record while the Bears have covered the over just three times on the season. Bettors should also keep an eye on Cardinals running back Connor total yards. Given the Cardinals circumstances he could see a majority of the workload on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Betting Trends

  • The road team has won three straight meetings.
  • Arizona has won six straight road games.
  • Chicago has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games when facing the NFC.
  • Chicago has gone UNDER in eight of its last 10 games.

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