Arizona Cardinals

Six Points: Cardinals vs. Bears

Published Sep. 18, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Arizona Cardinals (1-0) will visit Soldier Field this weekend, as the Chicago Bears (0-1) try to capture their first win of the 2015 season. The Cardinals made a statement with their 31-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, but the Bears are hungry for a victory after last weekend's close loss to the Green Bay Packers. Will Carson Palmer keep the Cardinals cruising, or are Jay Cutler's Bears poised for an upset?

Here are three keys to the game for both the Cardinals and the Bears.

CARDINALS

1. Contain Matt Forte

Forte was a one-man wrecking crew versus the Packers with 166 total yards and one touchdown. However, the Cardinals shut down a Saints run game that mustered only 54 rushing yards on 20 carries (2.7 yards per carry). Curtail Forte's impact out of the backfield and James Bettcher's unit will take their chances with Jay Cutler's arm to win a ballgame instead.

2. Force Cutler to make decisions

Cutler's Week 1 performance was average: 18-of-36, 225 yards, one touchdown and one late-game interception that was typical of the signal-caller. The Bears' off line did not help, though, in allowing two sacks and five quarterback hits. Expect the Cardinals to bring a ton of pressure to force Cutler's hand.

3. Attack the secondary

The Bears' secondary allowed 189 yards through the air, but gave up three scores to Green Bay's wide receivers. Palmer was on point, tossing three touchdowns for 307 yards through the air, in part due to an offensive line that bought him time in the pocket. Vic Fangio's unit could be in for another aerial show with the weapons Palmer has at his disposal.

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BEARS

1. Keep riding Matt Forte

The Bears utilized Forte heavily in Week 1, and he helped the team control the pace of the game -- he has to do the same against the Cardinals. Chicago should give him another heavy workload, as much as he's willing and able to handle. Forte's versatility and reliability make him one of the best bell-cow running backs in the NFL.

2. Bring pressure on defense

Palmer is coming off a 300-yard, three-touchdown outing in Week 1. The Bears can't allow him to hang back in the pocket and pick their defense apart. Fangio, who has installed a revamped 3-4 defense in Chicago, must devise some pressure packages to put some heat on the largely immobile veteran.

3. Protect the ball

Chicago had a chance to upset the Green Bay Packers last weekend, unti Cutler threw a fourth-quarter interception. Cutler and his teammates must be extra careful not to turn the ball over against the Cardinals this Sunday. The Bears are still trying to find an identity and lack the firepower to overcome multiple costly miscues.