Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears Box Score on Dec 05, 2021

Kyler Murray passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more in his return from injury and the defense snagged four interceptions as the visiting Arizona Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears 33-22 on Sunday for their third win in four games.

Arizona (10-2) remained atop the NFC while clinching its first double-digit victory season since 2015 and just the fifth such campaign since the franchise relocated from St. Louis following the 1987 season.

The Cardinals persisted through a rainy afternoon that played havoc on both sides. Murray, playing for the first time in three weeks following an ankle injury, recovered his own fumble on the first snap he handled, resulting in a Chicago sack.

Three plays later, on 4th and 2, Murray connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a 20-yard touchdown pass as the Cardinals capitalized on an Andy Dalton interception on the Bears' first possession. Hopkins (hamstring) also was back in the lineup after missing three games due to injury.

On the ensuing Bears' possession, Arizona's Budda Baker intercepted a Dalton pass that was dropped by a tumbling Cole Kmet and returned it 76 yards to the Chicago 15. Murray capped the drive with a nine-yard scoring run.

The Cardinals scored 23 points on four Dalton interceptions, beginning each possession inside the Bears' 30.

Arizona took a 21-7 lead into halftime after having possession for a mere 10:46.

A 33-yard Matt Prater field goal boosted the Cardinals' lead to 24-7 with 9:52 left in the third quarter. Chicago (4-8) responded with a 13-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 1-yard scoring pass from Dalton to Jimmy Graham to draw within 24-14. Prater added a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter.

David Montgomery rushed 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown for the Bears while adding 51 yards on eight receptions.

Dalton was 26-for-41 passing for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Jakeem Grant had five catches for 62 yards and a score.

Murray was 11-for-15 passing for 123 yards while rushing 10 times for 59 yards. James Conner ran for 75 yards and had 36 receiving yards and a score.

Veteran linebacker Bruce Irvin made his season debut for Chicago, his first appearance since suffering a torn ACL late in Week 2 of the 2020 season while playing for the Seattle Seahawks.

--Field Level Media