Arizona Cardinals At Chicago Bears: Week 2 Prediction

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Two teams coming into week 2 with different feelings. The Arizona Cardinals are hoping to feed off their big win at home over the Saints while the Chicago Bears try to stay out of an 0-2 hole. Who takes home the win?

Injury News

Pernell McPhee nursing knee and wrist issues

The last thing the Bears defense can afford is for any of their pass rushers to go down, especially since they failed to generate pressure on Aaron Rodgers in week 1. So hearing Pernell McPhee, their big free agent addition missed practice with knee and wrist injuries can’t be welcome news ahead of such a big game.

Andre Ellington out with PCL sprain

Running the ball is something the Cardinals know they have to do if they want to ensure the proper security of 35-year old quarterback Carson Palmer. The problem is that’s difficult to accomplish with Andre Ellington, their primary starter, continuing to get hurt. He’s expected to miss week 2 while trying to recover from a knee sprain.

Key Matchups

Martellus Bennett vs. Kevin Minter and Sean Weatherspoon

No two players on the Cardinals defense were more thrilled that the New Orleans Saints traded Jimmy Graham than inside linebackers Kevin Minter and Sean Weatherspoon. That was viewed as one of the key reasons Arizona had so much success in their red zone defense last week.

That good fortune should end at Soldier Field. They are going to have their hands full with Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett who had 55 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay. Expect third down battles to be decisive here.

John Brown vs. Sherrick McManis

One of the bigger concerns regarding the Bears defense coming out of preseason was their general lack of speed on defense. It was wondered aloud whether their secondary could handle an offense that featured one or two deep threats. The Cardinals are ready to put that to the test with speedster John Brown, one of the fastest in the league.

Bears slot corner Sherrick McManis drew the assignment against the Packers’ Randall Cobb. That means Brown will likely be his man. How he fairs will determine much.

Fantasy Advice

Sit: Matt Forte

He was superb in the opener against Green Bay with 141 yards and a touchdown, but Matt Forte is about to take a serious step up in competition. Arizona is one of the best defenses in the league at stopping the run, built very well up the middle with Calais Campbell, Kevin Minter and Tyrann Mathieu leading the way. Given the shaky state of certain areas along the Bears offensive line, it may not be a good week for him.

Start: Carson Palmer

Understand this. The Bears defense had no sacks and no hits on the quarterback last week. Carson Palmer showed that he can be every bit as dangerous as any in the league when he’s not pressured. He’s undefeated in his career against Chicago and will be forced to throw more often anyway given the injuries at running back. It’s a logical fantasy decision.

Prediction: Cardinals win 24-17

This is another case for the Bears where the roster talents just don’t stack up equally. Arizona is a playoff team with established schemes and the players to take advantage of them. Chicago needs more time to get there. As they did in week 1 it will be close, but expect the Cardinals to make the decisive plays late.

Next: 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Shocking Quarterback Moves

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