Arizona Cardinals (3-11) vs. Chicago Bears (5-9)
As the NFL season heads into its 16th week, the Arizona Cardinals, with a record of 3-11, are set to clash with the Chicago Bears, holding a 5-9 standing. This game, scheduled for Sunda promises to be a riveting contest at Soldier Field. Kickoff is at 4:25 PM ET, and fans can catch the action live on FOX. With both teams having challenging seasons, this game becomes a battle of pride and improvement, making it a fascinating choice for NFL free picks.
The Cardinals’ offense has had both highs and lows this season. James Conner has led their rushing attack to success – amassing 717 yards on 143 attempts with five touchdowns at an average 5-yds per carry average, breaking through defenses. Marquise Brown stood out among receivers too, recording 51 receptions out of 101 targets for 574 receiving yards (and 4 touchdowns!). More consistency would greatly assist their efforts.
The Bears have also displayed glimpses of promise in their offense, led by D’Onta Foreman with 425 yards and four touchdowns from 109 carries at an average 3.9 yards per carry – his impactful play still makes an integral part of Bears offensive strategy. Meanwhile DJ Moore excels as their receiver, collecting 80 receptions for 1123 yards and seven touchdowns while boasting 14 yards per reception as an indicator of their passing game success.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 4:25 PM ET |
| Where: | Soldier Field |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Joshua Dobbs QB vs. Justin Fields QB
Joshua Dobbs has bounced around the league since being drafted. Dobbs has marginal stats so far with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while completing just 62.8% of his passes. However, he has some mobility and has only taken 17 sacks despite inconsistent offensive line play in front of him. Dobbs doesn’t make a ton of risky throws which has helped keep Arizona competitive. But he struggles with accuracy at times and doesn’t push the ball downfield much, averaging under 6 yards per attempt. He’ll need to be willing to take more chances against Chicago’s vulnerable secondary that ranks 29th against the pass. If Dobbs can step up and take advantage of Hopkins against a Bears team rankings 28th in points allowed, the Cardinals can hang around.
Justin Fields is one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the game right now. He has terrorized opponent defenses both through the air and with his legs this season. Fields has already thrown 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns and 8 more scores on the ground. He is a big play waiting to happen who can take any rush the distance while also showing the ability to stretch the field throwing the ball with his cannon arm. Fields must cut down on occasional careless turnovers as he has 8 interceptions and 9 total fumbles. But the talent and potential for him to dominate a game is clearly evident for the young quarterback. If he avoids mistakes, Fields gives Chicago an excellent chance to outpace an Arizona defense.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Bears -215, Total Odds: 44
The betting odds suggest the Bears are the favorites, with a moneyline of -215 and a spread of -4.5. The total points set at 44 indicate expectations of a moderately high-scoring game. These odds reflect the Bears’ slightly better performance this season compared to the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals are just 3-17 straight up over their last 20 games indicating they do not play well over long stretches. However, they are 15-5 against the spread (ATS) over their last 20. Even in defeat, Arizona has a knack for playing close competitive games that come down to the wire. In their last 6 road games against Chicago, Arizona is 4-2 straight up. The total has also gone over 5 of the last 6 head-to-head at Soldier Field.
Chicago Bears Betting Trends
The Bears are 1-4 straight up over their last 5 home games and 3-10 in Soldier Field since the start of 2022. Chicago has struggled to both score points consistently and protect leads. The Bears are just 4-12 ATS over their previous 16 games against NFC opponents. Chicago has also failed to cover 4 of their last 5 contests overall.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears 12/24/23 Betting Picks
Considering the trends and performances, this game appears to be closer than the odds suggest. The Cardinals, despite their overall struggles, have a chance to cover the spread, especially with their historical ATS performance against the Bears. The total going under in many of the Cardinals’ recent games could be a factor to consider for bettors.
When looking at the top online casino bets, the Bears seem to be the safer pick, but the Cardinals could surprise, making them an intriguing underdog choice. The over/under is tricky, but leaning towards the under might be wise, considering both teams’ recent trends.
