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NFL · Week 16 · December 24, 2023 · 12 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears: 2023 Week 16 Recap

Bears defeat Cardinals 27–16 in Week 16

James Conner led Fantasy Impact as Bears prevailed in a 16–27 Week 16 finish.

Arizona Cardinals 16 3–12
Final 16–27
Chicago Bears 27 6–9 Winner
Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
16–27
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 7–21 Chicago Bears
Top passer
Kenneth Murray, Jr.
FantasyHQ MVP
James Conner
Game date
December 24, 2023

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • James Conner
    James Conner 5 REC · 67 YDS · 1 TD +6.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Rondale Moore
    Rondale Moore 1 CAR · 6 YDS +0.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Emari Demercado
    Emari Demercado 2 CAR · 10 YDS +0.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bears

  • Khalil Herbert
    Khalil Herbert 20 CAR · 112 YDS · 1 TD +5.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Cole Kmet
    Cole Kmet 4 REC · 107 YDS +5.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Justin Fields
    Justin Fields 4 CAR · 49 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact
View Cardinals vs Bears box score View all 2023 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
Chicago Bears 27–16 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 7–21 Chicago Bears at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
James Conner
Top passer
Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Biggest EPA play
(10:30) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left intended for 24-K.Herbert INTERCEPTED by 34-J.…
Game date
2023-12-24

Game summary

The Chicago Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals 27–16 on 2023-12-24. James Conner posted a game-high +6.32 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Arizona Cardinals0736016
Chicago Bears71436027

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

ARIArizona Cardinals
CHIChicago Bears

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 6:22TD
    Justin Fields

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 3
    Score
    0-6

    (6:22) 1-J.Fields scrambles left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 6:16XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    0-7

    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.

  3. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 12:59TD
    Khalil Herbert

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 11
    Score
    0-13

    (12:59) (Shotgun) 24-K.Herbert left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 12:54XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    0-14

    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.

  5. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 7:19TD
    Marcedes Lewis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 1
    Score
    0-20

    (7:19) 1-J.Fields pass short right to 84-M.Lewis for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 7:12XP
    Cairo Santos

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    0-21

    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 2:33TD
    James Conner

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 16
    Score
    6-21

    (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 6-J.Conner for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 2:27XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CHI 15
    Score
    7-21

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 12:17FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CHI 37
    Score
    10-21

    (12:17) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.

  10. CHIChicago Bears
    Q3 1:08FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 31
    Score
    10-24

    (1:08) 8-C.Santos 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.

  11. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 6:48TD
    Greg Dortch

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 38
    Score
    16-24

    (6:48) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 83-G.Dortch for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 1:05FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 11
    Score
    16-27

    (1:05) 8-C.Santos 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.

  13. CHIChicago Bears
    Q4 1:02FG
    Cairo Santos

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CHI 35
    Score
    16-27

    8-C.Santos kicks 63 yards from CHI 35 to ARI 2. 83-G.Dortch to ARI 31 for 29 yards (23-R.Johnson; 22-E.Hicks).

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1James ConnerJames Conner · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.32 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
  2. 2Khalil HerbertKhalil Herbert · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +5.48 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
  3. 3Cole KmetCole Kmet · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
  4. 4Justin FieldsJustin Fields · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +4.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
  5. 5Marcedes LewisMarcedes Lewis · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
  6. 6Robert TonyanRobert Tonyan · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
  7. 7Rondale MooreRondale Moore · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
  8. 8Justin FieldsJustin Fields · Chicago Bears · Passing · +0.24 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.01 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

James Conner

FantasyHQ Game MVP

James Conner — ARI · Receiving

James Conner posted the highest total EPA (+6.32) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.26 EPA per play.

James Conner's top snap (+3.16 EPA): (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 6-J.Conner for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-5.83 EPA): Justin Fields — (10:30) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left intended for 24-K.Herbert INTERCEPTED by 34-J.Thompson at ARI -4. Touchback.

Quarterback report card

Kenneth Murray, Jr. led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · -5.7% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.01 total EPA
  • Justin FieldsJustin Fields (Chicago Bears) · 36 dropbacks · 41.7% completion · +2.1% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.24 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatArizona CardinalsChicago Bears
Offensive EPA/play-0.028+0.107
Offensive success rate34.6%44.8%
Pass EPA/play-0.116+0.007
Rush EPA/play-0.105+0.234
Defensive EPA/play-0.107+0.028
Defensive success rate55.2%65.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs -0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.03 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Chicago Bears: +0.11 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -2.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Chicago Bears: 11 drives, +9.35 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Justin FieldsChicago Bears — Justin Fields (Q1 6:22)
  • Khalil HerbertChicago Bears — Khalil Herbert (Q2 12:59)
  • Marcedes LewisChicago Bears — Marcedes Lewis (Justin Fields pass) (Q2 7:19)
  • James ConnerArizona Cardinals — James Conner (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q2 2:33)
  • Greg DortchArizona Cardinals — Greg Dortch (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q4 6:48)

Field goals

  • Matt PraterArizona Cardinals — Matt Prater (Q3 12:17)
  • Cairo SantosChicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q3 1:08)
  • Cairo SantosChicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q4 1:05)
  • Cairo SantosChicago Bears — Cairo Santos (Q4 1:02)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q1 6:22) — (6:22) 1-J.Fields scrambles left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 6:16) — 8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q2 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 24-K.Herbert left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 12:54) — 8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 7:19) — (7:19) 1-J.Fields pass short right to 84-M.Lewis for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 7:12) — 8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 16 (Q2 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 6-J.Conner for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 2:27) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CHI 37 (Q3 12:17) — (12:17) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ARI 31 (Q3 1:08) — (1:08) 8-C.Santos 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 38 (Q4 6:48) — (6:48) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 83-G.Dortch for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ARI 11 (Q4 1:05) — (1:05) 8-C.Santos 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the CHI 35 (Q4 1:02) — 8-C.Santos kicks 63 yards from CHI 35 to ARI 2. 83-G.Dortch to ARI 31 for 29 yards (23-R.Johnson; 22-E.Hicks)..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Chicago Bears (Q1 9:12) — (9:12) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 85-C.Kmet to ARI 21 for 53 yards (34-J.Thompson). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.39]
  • Chicago Bears (Q2 14:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields left end pushed ob at ARI 10 for 24 yards (34-J.Thompson). [WPA +7.3% · EPA +2.32]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 13:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass incomplete short right to 85-C.Kmet (34-J.Thompson). [WPA -5.5% · EPA -1.88]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 2:32) — (2:32) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 85-C.Kmet to CHI 47 for 20 yards (3-B.Baker). [WPA +4.5% · EPA +1.89]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 6:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields sacked at ARI 15 for -9 yards (55-D.Stills). PENALTY on ARI-24-S.Thomas, Defensive Holding, 3 yards, enforced at ARI 6 - No Play. [WPA +4.4% · EPA +1.90]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Chicago Bears (Q4 10:30) — (10:30) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left intended for 24-K.Herbert INTERCEPTED by 34-J.Thompson at ARI -4. Touchback. [WPA -1.4% · EPA -5.83]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 6:48) — (6:48) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 83-G.Dortch for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.7% · EPA +4.45]
  • Chicago Bears (Q4 11:22) — (11:22) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields scrambles right end to ARI 14 for 39 yards (3-B.Baker). ARI-51-K.Barnes was injured during the play. [WPA +1.2% · EPA +3.90]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 9:12) — (9:12) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields pass deep left to 85-C.Kmet to ARI 21 for 53 yards (34-J.Thompson). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.39]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 6:22 · ARI 3 · Score 0-6
    (6:22) 1-J.Fields scrambles left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 6:16 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.
  3. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 12:59 · ARI 11 · Score 0-13
    (12:59) (Shotgun) 24-K.Herbert left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 12:54 · ARI 15 · Score 0-14
    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.
  5. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 7:19 · ARI 1 · Score 0-20
    (7:19) 1-J.Fields pass short right to 84-M.Lewis for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 7:12 · ARI 15 · Score 0-21
    8-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.
  7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 2:33 · CHI 16 · Score 6-21
    (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 6-J.Conner for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 2:27 · CHI 15 · Score 7-21
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
  9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 12:17 · CHI 37 · Score 10-21
    (12:17) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
  10. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q3 1:08 · ARI 31 · Score 10-24
    (1:08) 8-C.Santos 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.
  11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:48 · CHI 38 · Score 16-24
    (6:48) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 83-G.Dortch for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 1:05 · ARI 11 · Score 16-27
    (1:05) 8-C.Santos 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-T.Gill.
  13. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 1:02 · CHI 35 · Score 16-27
    8-C.Santos kicks 63 yards from CHI 35 to ARI 2. 83-G.Dortch to ARI 31 for 29 yards (23-R.Johnson; 22-E.Hicks).

Key takeaways

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

  • Chicago Bears earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr. (ARI) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears on 2023-12-24?

The Chicago Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 in Week 16, 2023.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears?

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 0, Chicago Bears 7; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 7, Chicago Bears 14; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 3, Chicago Bears 3; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 6, Chicago Bears 6; Final: Arizona Cardinals 16, Chicago Bears 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Fields (Q1 6:22) Chicago Bears touchdown — K. Herbert (Q2 12:59) Chicago Bears touchdown — M. Lewis (J. Fields pass) (Q2 7:19) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — J. Conner (K. Murray pass) (Q2 2:33) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — G. Dortch (K. Murray pass) (Q4 6:48) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q3 12:17, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q3 1:08, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q4 1:05, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — C. Santos (Q4 1:02, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears?

Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), 55.8% completion, -5.7% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -5.01 total passing EPA. Justin Fields (Chicago Bears), 41.7% completion, +2.1% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.24 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears?

James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.32 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (+3.16 EPA): (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 6-J.Conner for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 3-11 Now 3-12 L

Chicago Bears

Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W

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