NFL
Spread

Cardinals vs Bears Predictions & Best Bets

Last Updated: Dec 21, 2023

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will take their talents to Chicago on Christmas Eve to play Justin Fields and the Bears in a fun matchup that should feature mobile quarterbacks and explosive offense.

With a massive Cowboys and Dolphins tilt going on during the same Sunday evening window, this bottom-of-the-barrel matchup might go overlooked by NFL fans. However, the quarterback play and some fun weapons on offense should be enough to garner some interest on this Week 16 NFL betting slate.

Two young coaches will look to prove there’s still plenty of promise in their franchise quarterbacks. Will the newly improved pass rush and Soldier Field advantage earn the home favorite another victory?

Cardinals vs Bears Odds

NFL odds used for this Arizona vs Chicago preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday Dec. 21.

  • Moneyline: Bears (-205) • Cardinals (+170)
  • Spread: Bears -4 (-115) • Bears +4 (-105)
  • Total Points: Over 43 (-115) • Under 43 (-105)
  • Implied Score: Bears 24, Cardinals 20

Cardinals vs Bears Predictions

Score Pick: Cardinals 27, Bears 24

Most trends and public viewpoints right now show the Bears pulling off a redeeming win at home against a reeling Cardinals team. Chicago is trending in the right direction with big improvements on defense of late, while Arizona can’t get a stop to save its life.

That being said, this is the NFL, and whenever something seems obvious, it’s almost always worth a closer look.

The Bears defense has looked good against in-the-pocket quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Joe Flacco. Kyler Murray presents a dimension that Montez Sweat and company haven’t dealt with of late.

While the Arizona offense has been poor on the road this season, Murray’s return has led it to 24 and 29 points over its last two games against above-average defenses in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, respectively.

Chicago had a chance to close out a statement win against Cleveland last week, but the defense failed to get a stop when it mattered most, and the Browns roared back to win in overtime. There are flaws for both teams in this one, but Murray’s upside is the difference-maker in the end.

Cardinals vs Bears Best Bets & Props

Over 43 (-115)

DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1.5 Units

Coach Matt Eberflus and the Bears have started to find a groove offensively of late, and consistency in the passing game among Fields, DJ Moore, and Cole Kmet is a big reason why.

Meanwhile, Arizona has found a new star in tight end Trey McBride, and Murray is not afraid to pepper him with targets in the wake of Marquise Brown’s absence. Chicago gave up a big game to David Njoku last week, so it’s safe to assume the Cardinals will attack this defense with McBride early and often.

In the end, these defenses have little to keep them fired up in Week 16 of a lost season, while the offenses are trying to dispel swirling coach and quarterback questions.

The NFL bet of the day is to take this Over at 43 points while it’s still available. Explosive plays should rack up points in a hurry, and both teams are capable of surpassing 30 on a good day, especially with the weather mild and relatively warm in Chicago.

Cardinals (+170)

DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit

Surprisingly, Michael Wilson failed to record a catch last week in his return. I suspect he and McBride, along with Murray’s legs, will be the keys to success for the Arizona offense, with James Conner pushing the pile when needed.

In the end, while the Bears defense does provide a slight edge, this game is too much of a toss-up for the Cardinals to be a +170 wager. I’ll take the value of the underdog to prove the public wrong in a mostly meaningless Sunday afternoon tilt.

DJ Moore + Trey McBride Over 149 Receiving Yards (+150)

DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit

This “Weekly Special” play from DraftKings is right in my wheelhouse. I’ve already mentioned that I expect McBride to be a focal point of the Cardinals’ attack, as he can hurt the Bears all over the field.

Between yards-after-catch and the occasional deep ball, the former Colorado State Ram might eclipse 100 yards on his own.

Moore should get 7-to-10 targets, as well, on the other side, and it only takes one missed tackle for him to break a long one. We can conservatively project both McBride and Moore for 75 receiving yards, and one is bound to surpass that, maybe in the first half. I love this value.

Cardinals vs Bears Same Game Parlay

Cardinals vs Bears SGP (+100)

DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 Units

  • Cardinals +7.5 (-208)
  • Over 36.5 (-281)

Murray is a back door cover king, so I love the safety of taking the Cardinals to keep it under a touchdown in case the Bears pass rush does make a difference in the first three quarters. We just saw last week that getting stops down the stretch is harder for Chicago than it should be.

Meanwhile, even if some unexpected weather does roll through, or maybe some red zone turnovers hinder the Over early on, asking for just 37 points makes me extremely confident.

This is basically a teaser on Arizona and the Over, but we don’t have to pay juice if we take +7.5 instead of +10. This parlay perfectly summarizes my understanding of how this one plays out on Sunday afternoon.

Author

John Arlia

Before joining The Game Day, John served as the National Writer for the United Soccer League, where he primarily covered the USL Championship out of the league’s headquarters in Tampa, FL. A devout soccer fan, John attended the men’s World Cups in Brazil and Russia and can’t wait for the 2026 edition to come to North America. Having also written for Sporting News Canada since getting his master’s from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU, John has acquired a diverse sporting background, but considers football, golf, and soccer his three strong suits.

Related articles

Promotions

Get Up To $1,500 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets or $1k First Bet Safety Net

5 stars

Get Up To $1,000 In No Sweat Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Double Your Winnings On Your Next 10 Bets​

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Get A Bonus Bet Up To $250

5 stars

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY).

Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI).

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD).

21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Eligibility restrictions apply.

All betting content on TheGameDay.com is exclusively intended for audience members 21 years and older who are permitted to gamble in legal states. The Game Day may earn revenue from site visitor referrals to betting services.

Responsible Gaming: Many sportsbooks offer ways to encourage responsible gaming, including the establishment of limits to deposits, spending, and time dedicated to betting.

The Game Day is a TGD Marketing Ltd. endeavor.