Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats (2020–2025 Review)

The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals has been one of the most enduring storylines in NFL history. Dating back to the early 20th century, when both teams called Chicago home, this matchup carries a century’s worth of football legacy. Today, fans still tune in with the same passion, eager to see how modern rosters compare to those storied pasts.

In this deep-dive feature, we’ll examine the Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats from recent seasons — covering the latest meeting, statistical trends since 2020, standout player performances, and what to expect in the upcoming Bears vs Cardinals 2025 encounter.

The Latest Clash: Bears vs Cardinals (2024 Season Recap)

The most recent battle between the two franchises took place in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game ended with the Cardinals defeating the Bears 29–9, a decisive result shaped by strong running and defensive control.

Key Player Stats (2024 Match)

• James Conner (Cardinals): 18 carries — 107 yards (5.9 avg)

• Kyler Murray (Cardinals): 13 of 20 passes for 154 yards (0 TDs / 0 INTs)

• Rome Odunze (Bears): 5 receptions — 104 yards

• Bears Total Yards: 241

• Cardinals Total Yards: 350

• Cardinals Rushing Yards: 213

The numbers speak for themselves — Arizona dominated possession and the ground game. James Conner’s powerful running behind a resurgent offensive line kept the Bears’ defense on its heels throughout the afternoon.

Kyler Murray’s efficiency, while not spectacular in terms of passing touchdowns, kept drives alive and maintained tempo. On the other side, Chicago’s rookie wideout Rome Odunze offered a glimmer of hope with a breakout 100-yard game.

The Bears’ quarterback struggled under consistent pressure, and Chicago’s run game never found its rhythm. Statistically, the Cardinals controlled 36 minutes of possession to the Bears’ 24 — a telling sign of where this matchup was decided.

Comparing Player Stats Across Seasons (2020–2024)

While the 2024 game is fresh in fans’ memories, the statistical trends over the last five years reveal fascinating shifts in team dynamics. Let’s walk through the Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats season by season.

2020 Season Overview

The 2020 NFL season didn’t feature a head-to-head matchup between the two teams, but season-long numbers still tell a story of contrast:

• The Bears leaned heavily on defense, anchored by Khalil Mack, who posted 9 sacks that year.

• The Cardinals, with Kyler Murray entering his prime, ranked top 5 in rushing yards per game.

If these teams had met that season, it would have been a clash of speed vs structure — Murray’s mobility against Chicago’s disciplined defense.

2021 Season Matchup

In Week 13 of 2021, the Cardinals defeated the Bears 33–22 at Soldier Field.
Key Player Stats (2021 Game):

• Kyler Murray: 11 of 15 for 123 yards, 2 TDs passing + 10 carries for 59 yards and 2 rushing TDs

• James Conner: 20 carries — 75 yards + 36 receiving yards and 1 TD

• Andy Dalton (Bears QB): 26 of 41 for 229 yards, 2 TDs and 4 INTs

• David Montgomery: 21 carries — 90 yards

Arizona’s balanced attack shone through, while Chicago’s passing game faltered under turnover pressure. Statistically, that game cemented Kyler Murray’s reputation as a dual-threat nightmare for the Bears’ front seven.

2022 Season Summary

The 2022 NFL schedule again kept these teams apart, yet both rosters experienced transformation:

• Bears: Rookie quarterback Justin Fields evolved into a dynamic rusher, notching 1,143 rushing yards — a Bears QB record.

• Cardinals: Kyler Murray dealt with injury struggles, but DeAndre Hopkins remained the offensive centerpiece.

A hypothetical meeting that year would have showcased a battle of scrambling quarterbacks, with each side testing defensive discipline.

2023 Season Trends

No direct contest occurred, but both franchises were in transition.

• Chicago’s focus: Building around Fields and rookie receiver D.J. Moore.

• Arizona’s rebuild: Post-Hopkins offense emphasizing youth and speed.

Advanced analytics suggested both teams were below league average in passing efficiency but improving defensively — foreshadowing the lower-scoring style we saw in 2024.

Historical Edge: The Bears-Cardinals Rivalry Through the Years

The Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals rivalry is among the NFL’s oldest, tracing back to the 1920s when both franchises shared the city of Chicago.

Over the decades, the Bears have traditionally held the upper hand in total wins, but the Cardinals’ modern iterations have often been more explosive offensively.

All-Time Record Snapshot

• Games Played: 90+ meetings

• Bears Wins: ≈ 60

• Cardinals Wins: ≈ 30

• Ties: A handful

Statistically, the rivalry has evolved alongside the game itself. The early 20th-century contests featured heavy rushing attacks, while today’s matchups highlight quarterback agility, spread formations, and fast defensive fronts.

The pattern across recent decades shows that when the Cardinals’ offense exceeds 150 rushing yards, they usually win; conversely, when Chicago limits turnovers, they often control the clock and emerge victorious.

Star Performers Across the Era (2020–2024)

For the Chicago Bears

1. Justin Fields (QB):

   • Rushing yards 2022 — 1,143 (7 TDs)

   • Passing yards 2023 — 2,562 with 16 TDs

   • Represents Chicago’s evolution toward mobility and improvisation.

2. David Montgomery (RB, 2020–2022):

   • Averaged 1,000+ scrimmage yards each season, reliable red-zone finisher.

3. D.J. Moore & Rome Odunze (WRs):

   • Moore’s 2023 breakout season (1,364 yards) and Odunze’s 2024 100+ yard game vs Arizona highlight Chicago’s growing air threat.

4. Khalil Mack & Roquan Smith (Defense):

   • Consistent sack and tackle leaders during their tenures, both pivotal in keeping games competitive.

For the Arizona Cardinals

1. Kyler Murray (QB):

   • 2020–2024 Avg: ~3,500 total yards (air + ground) per season.

   • Defined by mobility, quick release, and game-management in key drives.

2. James Conner (RB):

   • 2021 Pro Bowl selection; consistently around 1,000 scrimmage yards annually.

   • His 107-yard performance in 2024 was a throwback to power football dominance.

3. DeAndre Hopkins (WR until 2023):

   • Averaged 1,100+ yards and 7 TDs per season as Murray’s primary target.

4. Budda Baker (S):

   • Anchored the secondary with 80+ tackles and multiple takeaways each year.

These players collectively define the statistical narrative of Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats — a mixture of veteran resilience and young explosiveness on both sides.

Tactical Breakdown: How Stats Reflect Strategy

Football is more than numbers, but statistics illuminate strategic philosophy.

• Rushing Efficiency: In both 2021 and 2024, the Cardinals eclipsed 150 rushing yards. Their success correlates directly with run-first tempo and play-action control.

• Turnovers: The Bears’ 2021 loss was defined by 4 interceptions. Protecting the ball remains a core theme in Chicago’s game planning.

• Defensive Pressure: When Chicago records 3+ sacks, they tend to keep scores within one possession. When they don’t — as in 2024 — the opponent’s rushing attack thrives.

• Explosive Plays: The 2024 Odunze 104-yard day proved Chicago can create chunk gains, but without consistent third-down conversions, those plays fail to translate into points.

This analytical layer shows how raw player stats mirror coaching adjustments and roster construction philosophies from 2020 through 2024.

Looking Ahead: Bears vs Cardinals 2025

The 2025 NFL season promises a fresh chapter in this rivalry.

• Chicago Outlook: The Bears are expected to continue refining their offensive identity under Justin Fields (or his successor) with a stronger supporting cast. The combination of Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore could give Chicago one of the NFC’s more explosive receiving duos.

• Arizona Outlook: The Cardinals aim to maximize Kyler Murray’s mobility while bolstering the defensive front. Rookie linemen and a revitalized run game around James Conner will remain their backbone.

Predicted Statistical Themes for 2025

• Both teams will emphasize tempo control and rushing efficiency.

• Expect Chicago’s defense to generate more takeaways with a revamped secondary.

• Arizona may counter with spread formations and designed quarterback runs.

If trends hold, the 2025 edition could be one of the most evenly matched Bears-Cardinals games in recent memory — a contest where analytics and execution collide.

Statistical Comparison Table (Summary 2020–2024)

This table illustrates how game results and stat lines often intertwine: when Arizona’s run game controls momentum, Chicago falls behind in time of possession and scoring.

Lessons from the Numbers

1. Rushing wins this rivalry. The team that out-rushes the other by 50+ yards has won 7 of the last 8 meetings.

2. Quarterback discipline matters. Turnovers — particularly interceptions — have cost Chicago dearly in multiple games.

3. Emerging talent is closing the gap. The rise of Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore gives the Bears offensive versatility unseen since the Brandon Marshall era.

4. Defensive adjustments define outcomes. Arizona’s safety unit, led by Budda Baker, consistently limits explosive plays, while Chicago’s linebackers seek to counter with blitz packages.

The Broader Context: NFC Dynamics

Both franchises currently sit in rebuilding stages but with promising trajectories. The NFC North and NFC West landscapes are shifting — younger quarterbacks, new coordinators, and evolving play styles mean the Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals meetings will remain a benchmark for progress.

Analytics-driven coaching emphasizes efficiency, expected points added (EPA), and situational awareness. Each of these future clashes provides measurable insight into which organization is truly on the rise.

Conclusion — A Rivalry of Old Roots and New Numbers

The Chicago Bears vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats showcase the timeless contrast between power and pace. From the 1920s’ grind-it-out games to today’s data-driven duels, every matchup continues to write a new page in NFL history.

From Kyler Murray’s agile brilliance to Justin Fields’ developing command, and from James Conner’s power runs to Rome Odunze’s emerging spark, the rivalry is as alive as ever.

As we look ahead to the 2025 showdown, fans can expect more than just a game — they’ll witness a continuation of American football’s living legacy.

Written and compiled by Buzz Vista

you may also visit:

Seahawks vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats: History, Highlights & Score Breakdown