Arizona Cardinals Trap Bears at Soldier Field

The Arizona Cardinals proved their road prowess once again, taking home a 41-21 souvenir from Chicago. The Cardinals cashed in on a poor defensive showing by the Bears and looked in the clear by halftime, up 31-7. While the Bears woke up in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals their first battle of the afternoon, their efforts were a day late and a buck short.

The Arizona Cardinals kept their unbeaten road record in tact, taking care of the Chicago Bears, 41-21, on Sunday at Soldier Field. The outcome was on par with the Cardinals track record this season, but the game also held a few pleasant surprises.

Arizona has yet to lose two-straight games and once again won in style following an embarrassing loss. But what was surprising, was the Cardinals ability to run the football. For the first time this season, the Cardinals rushed more than 30 times. They also rushed for a season-high 182 yards.

The Cardinals capacity to involve both Tim Hightower (77 yards) and Beanie Wells (72 yards) went a long way in not only moving the chains but playing around with how to utilize this improving tag team.

Kurt Warner
(Getty)

Arizona also got Larry Fitzgerald more involved than in any other game this season. He picked up any possible slack from Anquan Boldin's absence. Ken Whisenhunt's decision to rest Boldin proved to be wise. With Boldin sidelined, Fitzgerald registered a season-high 123 yards. The Bears matchup also marked Fitzgerald's second game of the year with two touchdowns. Fitzgerald compiled five multi-touchdown games (including the playoffs) in 2008. Steve Breaston also earned more reps, hauling in 66 yards and a touchdown reception through the air and one 25-yard gain on the ground. If Breaston, Fitzgerald, Wells and Hightower didn't supply enough reasons to jump back on the Cardinals bandwagon, Kurt Warner was in Hall of Fame form with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

Warner also involved tight ends Ben Patrick and Anthony Becht. Patrick caught a touchdown pass for the second straight game. A feat that he's never accomplished in his three-year career. Becht, a 10-year veteran, caught his first touchdown pass since 2007. Early Doucet also earned his first face time of the season with four receptions, good for 31 yards.

Anthony Becht; Ben Patrick
(Getty)

Sunday's game outlined the Cardinals solid depth. Also in the rotation was second-year linebacker Ali Highsmith. He earned his first start of the season, filling in for Gerald Hayes. Highsmith compiled a pair of tackles.

Matt Ware continued to do a solid job in the secondary. He was the only Cardinal to pick off Jay Cutler. The sacks against Cutler was a mixed bag of familiar faces and unfamiliar faces. Chike Okeafor, Clark Haggans and Darnell Dockett all added to their sack count, while rookie Will Davis cashed in on his first career sack.

The Cardinals will likely return to their regular lineup, to tackle a two-game divisional series. First up, the Seahawks followed by the Rams.

---

Become friends with AZRedReport.com on Facebook, click here.

---