Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears: 2021 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-05, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 33–22 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Dalton (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -12.81 total EPA, and -5.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (4:06) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right intended for 85-C.Kmet INTERCEPTED by 3-B.Baker at ARI 8. 3-B.Baker to CHI 15 for 77 yards (32-D.Montgomery; 14-A.Dalton). Penalty on CHI-75-L.Borom, Ille

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +12.55 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Hopkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.68 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Conner · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.05 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Grant · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Montgomery · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +2.80 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Graham · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.11 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Benjamin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.28 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — D. Hopkins (K. Murray pass) (Q1 56:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Murray (Q1 46:47)
• Chicago Bears — D. Montgomery (Q2 38:53)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (K. Murray pass) (Q2 35:47)
• Chicago Bears — J. Graham (A. Dalton pass) (Q3 17:53)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Murray (Q4 6:28)
• Chicago Bears — J. Grant (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 2:51)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q3 24:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q4 8:35)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 20 (Q1 56:02) — (11:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 10-D.Hopkins for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 55:55) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 9 (Q1 46:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray scrambles right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 46:39) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 38:53) — (8:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 32-D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 38:50) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 23 (Q2 35:47) — (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 6-J.Conner for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 35:40) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CHI 15 (Q3 24:56) — (9:56) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 17:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 64-A.Bars reported in as eligible. 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 17:49) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 9–8. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CHI 7 (Q4 8:35) — (8:35) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 3 (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 17-J.Grant for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN [9-I.Simmons].; Chicago Bears registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 2:45) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-A.Dalton pass to 80-J.Graham is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Chicago Bears (Q1 49:06) — (4:06) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right intended for 85-C.Kmet INTERCEPTED by 3-B.Baker at ARI 8. 3-B.Baker to CHI 15 for 77 yards (32-D.Montgomery; 14-A.Dalton). Penalty on CHI-75-L.Borom, Ille [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.69]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 17-J.Grant INTERCEPTED by 34-J.Thompson at CHI 34. 34-J.Thompson pushed ob at CHI 28 for 6 yards (17-J.Grant). [WPA -13.1% · EPA -4.70]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:02) — (11:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 10-D.Hopkins for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +4.39]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 11:48) — (11:48) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 10-D.Byrd INTERCEPTED by 7-B.Murphy (55-C.Jones) at CHI 41. 7-B.Murphy pushed ob at CHI 28 for 13 yards (85-C.Kmet). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -5.49]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 11:55) — (11:55) 16-P.O'Donnell punts 43 yards to ARI 42, Center-48-P.Scales, fair catch by 4-R.Moore. PENALTY on ARI-45-D.Gardeck, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at CHI 15 - No Play. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.69]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Chicago Bears (Q1 49:06) — (4:06) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right intended for 85-C.Kmet INTERCEPTED by 3-B.Baker at ARI 8. 3-B.Baker to CHI 15 for 77 yards (32-D.Montgomery; 14-A.Dalton). Penalty on CHI-75-L.Borom, Ille [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.69]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 7:17) — (7:17) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right intended for 32-D.Montgomery INTERCEPTED by 94-Z.Allen at CHI 37. 94-Z.Allen pushed ob at CHI 12 for 25 yards (14-A.Dalton). [WPA -4.0% · EPA -6.44]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 11:48) — (11:48) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 10-D.Byrd INTERCEPTED by 7-B.Murphy (55-C.Jones) at CHI 41. 7-B.Murphy pushed ob at CHI 28 for 13 yards (85-C.Kmet). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -5.49]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left intended for 17-J.Grant INTERCEPTED by 34-J.Thompson at CHI 34. 34-J.Thompson pushed ob at CHI 28 for 6 yards (17-J.Grant). [WPA -13.1% · EPA -4.70]

Quarterback report card

A.Dalton led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Dalton (Chicago Bears) · 50 dropbacks · 52.0% completion · -5.6% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -12.81 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 22 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +1.6% CPOE · +0.57 EPA/play · +12.55 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +8.92 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Chicago Bears: 10 drives, -7.34 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Dalton (CHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 56:02 · CHI 20 · Score 6-0
   (11:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 10-D.Hopkins for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 55:55 · CHI 15 · Score 7-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 46:47 · CHI 9 · Score 13-0
   (1:47) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray scrambles right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 46:39 · CHI 15 · Score 14-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.
5. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 38:53 · ARI 1 · Score 14-6
   (8:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 32-D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 38:50 · ARI 15 · Score 14-7
   2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:47 · CHI 23 · Score 20-7
   (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 6-J.Conner for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:40 · CHI 15 · Score 21-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 24:56 · CHI 15 · Score 24-7
   (9:56) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.
10. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 17:53 · ARI 1 · Score 24-13
    (2:53) (Shotgun) 64-A.Bars reported in as eligible. 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 17:49 · ARI 15 · Score 24-14
    2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 8:35 · CHI 7 · Score 27-14
    (8:35) 5-M.Prater 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Brinkley, Holder-14-A.Lee.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:28 · CHI 3 · Score 33-14
    (6:28) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 2:51 · ARI 8 · Score 33-20
    (2:51) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 17-J.Grant for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN [9-I.Simmons].
15. Chicago Bears Safety (+2) — Q4 2:45 · ARI 2 · Score 33-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-A.Dalton pass to 80-J.Graham is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.