Bears vs. Cardinals: Going behind enemy lines to preview Week 9 matchup

The Chicago Bears (4-3) will face the Arizona Cardinals (4-4) on Sunday, where Chicago is looking to get back in the win column after a rough Week 8 loss.

Chicago is coming off a brutal 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders, where a last-second Hail Mary spoiled the Bears' late comeback bid. Rookie Caleb Williams had the worst game of his young career, but he still led a late comeback to give Chicago the lead with less than a minute remaining. The defense, down two starters in the secondary, held the No. 1 scoring offense to just 12 points (and zero touchdowns) before that improbable Hail Mary to end the game.

Before the game, we caught up with managing editor Jess Root of Cards Wire to get the scoop on the Bears’ Week 9 opponent.

Here are five questions with Cards Wire:

1. What’s been your evaluation of Kyler Murray so far this season?

Jess Root: Murray has really quarterbacked well this season. He has always been a playmaker but he really has taken to coaching about how to do all the quarterback things - managing players, his demeanor and more. He has had two high-level games and other games where his numbers were just fine.

Would I like to see more consistency in the passing game? Yes, but much of that can be placed on the fact that OC Drew Petzing focuses on the run game. If Week 8 is any precursor for the passing game the rest of the season, Murray will again be in the conversation of the best in the game.

2. Has Marvin Harrison Jr. looked the part of the No. 3 overall pick?

Root: Yes and now. We saw the explosion in the first quarter of Week 2 when he had four catches for 130 yards and two scores in one quarter of play. But many were expecting a huge impact, and he has simply looked like a rookie for much of the season. He has had a few drops and has made mental mistakes for routes and alignment, but he is coming off his best full game of the season and now, halfway through the season, that gives hope that he will impact games in a greater fashion. No one thinks he is close to bust status, but expectations for what he could do as a rookie were sky high.

3. Where is this Cardinals defense the most vulnerable?

Root: Where is it not? Haha. Seriously, though, it is the front line. They have been decimated by injuries. Free agent additions Justin Jones (former Bear) and Bilal Nichols had their seasons end with injuries. Pass rushers BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck tore their ACL. First-round pick Darius Robinson has yet to play this season, starting the seas on IR. Their inside linebackers are productive. The corners are adequate but young. They have great safeties. But teams can exploit the lack of talent up front in the run game and the lack of a pass rush with an accurate passing game.

4. What matchups will you be watching in this game?

Root: It starts with the corners and the receivers on both sides. Jaylon Johnson vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. will be fun. The young Cardinals corners and the one vet, Sean Murphy-bunting, against the Bears' trio of Moore, Allen and Odunze will be key.

Trey McBride against Chicago's linebackers and Cole Kmet vs. Arizona's are also going to be fun to watch. But I will have my eyes also on Zaven Collins against whoever ends up starting at left tackle for the Bears. The Cardinals' best game with the pass rush was against a backup tackle for the Rams.

5. Score prediction: Who wins and why?

Root: I know the Bears haven't allowed more than 21 points this season, but their below average yards per rushing attempt allowed is something I see as being key for the Cardinals being able to move the ball and score points. This game could really go either way, but I see the Cardinals coming through with a last-minute 23-19 win.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs Cardinals: Going behind enemy lines to preview Week 9 matchup