Caleb Williams vs. Kyler Murray. Another battle of No. 1 vs. No. 1. It’ll be the fourth time this season Chicago faced a former No. 1 overall pick at quarterback – Matt Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, and if you count him coming in for Andy Dalton in the fourth quarter, Bryce Young.

Williams and the Bears are 3-0 in those games, and oddly enough, 0-2 in games against No. 2 overall picks (C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels).

But the biggest storyline going into Sunday is how the Bears handles Tyrique Stevenson and how the team responds after last Sunday’s crushing loss to the Commanders.

Matt Eberflus wouldn’t get into specifics about any consequences for the young cornerback after he was caught fraternizing with fans while in coverage on the Hail Mary that gave Washington the win.

Now, the Bears have to fight their own misfortunes and the Arizona Cardinals to get to 5-3. If not, they’ll head home to face the Patriots back at .500 with a daunting divisional schedule ahead.

Onto Week 9.

Adam Hoge (4-3) | Bears 19, Cardinals 17

Until the Bears show an ability to get off to a good start offensively, there’s no reason to believe they will. Unfortunately, I feel like this will be a similar script as last week, with the defense keeping the Bears in the game while the offense plays catch-up. This time, with “fourth-quarter Caleb” leading the charge again, it’s just enough to win.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Check out Adam Hoge’s latest ‘Bears Things’ newsletter on Caleb Williams’ matchup against Cardinals DC Nick Hollis and Chad Morton’s comments on Velus Jones Jr’s departure.

Nicholas Moreano (5-2) | Bears 20, Cardinals 13

A lot can change after one game in the NFL. One Hail Mary pass has apparently ended the Bears’ 2024 season? That’s what it seems like to some people. The Bears are getting back on track and moving to 5-3 with a victory over the Cardinals. The Caleb Williams that appeared at the end of the Commanders game shows up early against Arizona despite having a beat-up offensive line. The defense makes secure tackles on James Conner and creates two turnovers in this game.

📖 READ | Nicholas Moreano has a surefire way for Matt Eberflus to quiet the outside noise around the Bears – win.

Mark Carman (7-0) | Bears 26, Cardinals 21

Can Matt Eberflus and company right the ship versus an Arizona team that is playing their best ball, having won their last 2? Larry Borom needs to hold down left tackle. Can Teven Jenkins make it through a game healthy? What about the still beat up secondary?And Caleb Williams’ Dad taking to twitter? Too many questions. But, the guess here is the Bears show they have at least some of the answers. Caleb plays well.

Greg Braggs Jr. (5-2) | Bears 27, Cardinals 17

If last week isn’t giving the Bears every single reason to play with a sense of urgency, then Matt Eberflus has bigger problems on his hands. The Bears offense should be able to move the football on an Arizona defense that has trouble getting to the quarterback. I expect Caleb Williams to push the ball downfield way more than he did vs Washington. I think the Bears offense has the advantage over the Cardinals defense.

Now, the Cardinals offense vs the Bears defense? We know what to expect from the Bears defense week-to-week regardless of injuries but that theory will be tested with a banged up Montez Sweat who did not finish the game vs Washington and did not practice this Friday as well. As we’ve learned last year, the Bears defense needs Sweat to be the defense it wants to be. But overall, while Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr and James Conner will certainly be a challenge, I see the Bears defense being able to hold them in place. Advantage Bears defense.

Oh yeah, and the fans in the stands in Arizona? Advantage Bears. By a landslide.

Must win game in the desert and I think they get it done. Bear Down.

Super Producer Stephen Nicholas (5-2) | Bears 24, Cardinals 20

Both star rookie WRs take center stage with Rome Odunze and Marvin Harrison Jr. scoring TDs. Odunze and the Bears get the last laugh as Caleb Williams moves the ball with ease against this bottom-10 pass defense. Matt Eberflus gets his first true road win since November 2023 and CHGO moves to 2-0 when traveling for road games.

Patrick Norton (3-4) | Bears 18, Cardinals 13

I don’t really know what to think about Sunday. Yes, I think the Bears are strong enough to bounce back against an Arizona Cardinals team I’m not really sold on. But for all of the talk from Halas Hall this week about how they’ve moved on from last Sunday’s loss in Washington, the vibe didn’t feel like it until Friday.

Braxton Jones being out is concerning. We’ve seen plenty of Larry Borom tape to know he can be a weak-point on the line. And even if Borom is just okay, he might have a hobbled Teven Jenkins to his left, or Matt Pryor or Nate Davis. Either way, Caleb Williams will have to be extra aware of his blind side.

But I still like how the defense looked against Jayden Daniels for the most part and I’m hoping it’s a similar story against Kyler Murray. It might get dicey at times, and maybe the score is off, but the most important this is leaving the desert with a win.

🗞️ SUBSCRIBE | Patrick Norton’s CHGO Digest is FREE. Subscribe to receive his perspective on the Bears’ season every Monday and Thursday morning.

Kevin Kaduk (5-2) | Bears 27, Cardinals 17

Last Sunday’s disappointment lights a fire under the roster and the team locks up the fifth win a week later than it should have.