Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
29
Apr
7:30 PM
BOS
MIA
-10.5
+10.5
203.5
8:30 PM
OKC
NO
-4
+4
205.5
10:00 PM
LAL
DEN
+7.5
-7.5
219
Tuesday
30
Apr
1:00 PM
ORL
CLE
+4.5
-4.5
201

Cardinals vs Bears Odds, Betting Lines, Picks, and Predictions for Kyler Murray’s Return in Week 13

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Dec 4, 2021 · 6:00 AM PST

Kyler Murray pointing
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) plays against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • NFL-leading Cardinals visit the Chicago Bears in Week 13
  • Betting Record: 0-1 ML; 3-6 ATS; 1-1 O/U; -7.89 units
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

The NFL’s top team is expecting to have their starting quarterback in the lineup for the stretch run, as the Arizona Cardinals are in Chicago to take on the Bears in Week 13.

Kyler Murray has missed three games and Arizona’s bye week to get right for Week 13, and he’ll be facing a Bears’ side that will be without starting pivot Justin Fields.

The 9-2 Cardinals are currently 7.5-point favorites on Sunday. Kickoff goes at 1pm ET from Soldier Field, and can be seen live on FOX.

Cardinals vs Bears Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Arizona Cardinals -335 -7.5 (-105) O 42.5 (-110)
Chicago Bears +260 +7.5 (-115) U 42.5 (-110)

Odds as of  December 4 at DraftKings.

Bettors are split, with 83% of the bets placed against the spread are on the underdog Bears, while 87% of moneyline wagers are on the Cardinals. That low total is also a key figure, with 83% of the public bets on the over.

The weather is expected to be a brisk 41 degrees and cloudy come game time.

Injury Report

Murray is still listed on the injury report as questionable, as is starting receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), corner Byron Murphy Jr (ankle)  and guard Justin Pugh (calf).

Running back Chase Edmonds (ankle) has been placed on injured reserve, and fellow running back Jonathan Ward (concussion) and safety James Murphy (knee) are also sitting.

For the Bears, Fields practiced, but is giving way to veteran Andy Dalton. Receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) is doubtful. Other key offensive players out are RB Damien Williams (calf) and receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot/ribs).

The defensive side is ailing too. Khalil Mack has already been shut down for the year, while defensive linemen Akiem Hicks (ankle) and Mario Edwards Jr (ribs) will miss Sunday. Linebacker Roquan Smith is questionable to play, as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.

Barstool Sportsbook Promo Code Unlocks $1,000 Risk-Free Bet for NFL Week 13 and College Football Conference Championships
Read More

Arizona Offense Should Churn

Kudos to Colt McCoy stepping in and helping the Cards to a 2-1 mark while Murray was sidelined.

There was an ugly loss to the Panthers, but more importantly, Arizona downed two division opponents in San Francisco and Seattle.

Murray was 7-1 as a starter before going down, and was having a sensational year, throwing for 2,276 yards while completing at least 65% of his passes in every game this season. He has 17 TD tosses to just seven interceptions.

Expect the Cardinals to do what they always do: generate big plays. Arizona is second in the NFL to only the Raiders in plays of 25+ yards, with 34. They average 28.2 points a game, the fifth best mark in the league.

They are helped along by a stout defense that surrenders the fourth-fewest points per game (18.4), while ranking fourth against the pass, giving up just 204 yards a game.

They’re also opportunistic, as Arizona has forced an NFL-high 15 fumbles this season, recovering 11.

Bears Still in Playoff Hunt

After snapping a 5-game losing streak with a win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, the Bears are somehow in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC.

In fact, at 4-7, they’re one game out of the final wild card berth, in a mashup of eight teams in the conference at four or five wins.

Dalton, filling in for the the injured Fields, went 24-for-39 for a season-high 317 yards passing, with one TD pass and one interception against the Lions.  However, Chicago’s best option may be to run the football and rely on their defense to keep things close.

Arizona is just 17th in run defense, and the Bears rank eighth in rushing, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Look for them to establish David Montgomery early and often.

A team that is only averaging 16.4 points per game, the Bears are surrendering 23.1 points per contest, though they are tied for second in the NFL with 32 sacks. Their pass defense ranks eighth in the league.

Cardinals vs Bears Pick

Arizona is 6-0 on the road this season, winning every one by 10 points or more. Even if it takes Murray some time to take the rust off, he should be able to put up points on a depleted Bears defense.

With Murray at QB, the Cards have cracked 30+ points in all but two of his eight starts. Look for Arizona to keep the good times rolling.

Pick: Cardinals -7.5 (1.5 units to win 1.42 units)

Author Image