When the Chicago Bears welcomed the Arizona Cardinals to Soldier Field on Sunday, the expectation was things could get pretty ugly as Chicago battled a top-seeded Arizona squad.
But throw in rain and bad field conditions and things were pretty ugly for the Bears offense in the first quarter. Chicago’s offense committed two turnovers in the first quarter, both of which the Cardinals converted into touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead.
On the Bears’ opening possession, quarterback Andy Dalton, starting in place of injured starter Justin Fields, overthrew receiver Jakeem Grant on third-and-6, and it was intercepted by Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson and returned to Chicago’s 28-yard line. Four plays later, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray found receiver DeAndre Hopkins for a 20-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2.
Chicago’s second turnover was another Dalton interception, this one dropped by tight end Cole Kmet, and it landed in the hands of Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who returned it 77 yards to the Chicago 20-yard line. The Bears were also lined up illegally on the play. Five plays later, Murray scored on a nine-yard touchdown run to put the Cardinals up 14-0.
This was a game where Chicago couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. Unfortunately, they’ve already made two, which Arizona has turned into 14 points.
