The sport’s turning level got here after Santos’ third subject aim drew the Bears to inside 14-9 with :26 left within the first half. The Cardinals instantly regained the momentum, extending their result in 21-9 on working again Emari Demercado’s 53-yard TD run with :04 remaining on a third-and-5 draw play.
“The rating on the finish of the half, to me that is on me,” Eberflus mentioned. “I known as a cross protection, cross stress they usually ended up working the ball. Once more, I could make a greater name there. That is on me.”
The Cardinals rushed for 118 of their 213 yards within the second quarter. The Bears run protection entered Week 9 ranked 14th within the NFL after main the league final season.
“I do imagine that our run protection must shore up,” Eberflus mentioned. “When you’ve got an enormous run like that, clearly the numbers go up. We all know do it; we have finished it up to now with the identical guys. It is vital that we shore up and ensure we do a greater job, beginning with the coaches after which the gamers after that.”
The Bears performed with out 4 injured starters in left deal with Braxton Jones (knee), defensive finish Montez Sweat (shin), nickel again Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and security Jaquan Brisker (concussion). Three extra gamers exited the competition with accidents in proper deal with Darnell Wright (knee), defensive deal with Andrew Billings (chest) and cornerback Terell Smith (ankle).
The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead on tight finish Trey McBride’s 2-yard TD run on a jet sweep with :46 left within the first quarter. The rating got here one play after McBride’s 15-yard reception from Kyler Murray on third-and-1 and was arrange by Greg Dortch’s 27-yard punt return to the Bears’ 41.
The Bears lower the deficit to 7-3 on their subsequent possession on Santos’ 29-yard subject aim. The kick was arrange by Williams’ 44-yard completion to a wide-open Rome Odunze to the Arizona 23. The Bears reached the 11 however settled for the sector aim after three straight incompletions.
The protection adopted by producing a key takeaway as undrafted rookie Reddy Steward “Peanut-Punched” the ball away from receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. after a 21-yard reception. Elijah Hicks returned the fumble seven yards to the Arizona 46.
“He had the ball free and I simply reacted to it and I punched it out,” mentioned Steward, a Troy product who made his NFL debut Sunday. “Elijah picked it up and we bought that turnover, so it felt good.”
The Bears transformed the turnover into Santos’ 53-yard subject aim, closing the hole to 7-6 with 9:10 remaining within the second quarter.
However the Cardinals answered as working again Trey Benson’s 1-yard TD run widened the margin to 14-6. It appeared that the Bears had compelled Arizona to accept Chad Ryland’s 32-yard subject aim, however a leverage penalty on Gervon Dexter Sr. gave the Cardinals an computerized first down.
Santos’ 53-yard subject aim drew the Bears to inside 14-9 with :26 left within the half earlier than Demercado’s 53-yard TD run made it 21-9 at halftime.
After the Bears opened the second half with a three-and-out, Ryland’s 29-yard subject aim elevated Arizona’s result in 24-9.
The Bears turned the ball over on downs on the primary play of the fourth quarter when Williams was sacked for a 16-yard loss on fourth-and-10 from the Arizona 44. The Cardinals failed to select up a primary down however prolonged their result in 27-9 on Ryland’s 55-yard subject aim.
Arizona later made it 29-9 when D’Andre Swift was penalized for a chop block in the long run zone, leading to a security with 7:54 remaining within the recreation.
With their second straight loss, the Bears fell to 4-4. They’re going to be again residence subsequent Sunday to host the Patriots at Soldier Subject.
“We have to circle the wagons and we have got to do a very good job of staying tight,” Eberflus mentioned. “That is what you do in instances of adversity. We have all people we want within the circle of males in there and the employees members in there and the coaches in there. We have all people we want and [will] take an inward look and ensure we’re doing issues the best manner. It begins with the coaches first after which it begins with that observe on Wednesday.
“We have to seek out some good solutions for placing our guys in place and we have got to do an ideal job of executing this week. We’re 4-4 proper now on the midway level by means of and we’re beginning a brand new season now. To me, it is about getting this primary victory and being 1-0 this week.”