PHX Reporter

The Arizona Cardinals are currently leading the NFC West, a position that does not surprise defensive lineman Roy Lopez. From the start of the season, Lopez felt confident in the team's abilities.

"I said during Week 1, after we lost and everybody looked at me crazy, was that we're proving ourselves right," Lopez stated. "We feel like we're playing good ball, and the football Gods reward you with good ball when you stick to the process and stick to your routine every single week."

The Cardinals will face off against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Both teams have experienced dramatic late-game moments recently. The Cardinals concluded October with a 3-1 record, securing victories in tight finishes, while the Bears endured a tough loss to the Commanders on a last-second play.

"You're furious that you lost and you lost in that way," commented Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. "We have to focus on going out here and winning this game right now. We had our 24-hour period to feel how we felt but we have to move on."

Lopez, who is managing an ankle injury but hopes to play, acknowledged that veteran presence within the Bears' roster could aid their refocusing efforts. This respect for their opponents keeps the Cardinals vigilant.

"At the end of the day, you need to have that 1-0 mentality," emphasized safety Budda Baker. "I try to encourage the guys to understand that we separate ourselves on how we prepare throughout the week."

A victory against Chicago would help maintain their lead in their division standings and improve their record beyond recent seasons' performances.

Quarterback Kyler Murray draws from past experiences with team success as he reminds his teammates about staying focused amid growing media attention. "Sticking to the process and not getting complacent," Murray noted. "Those teams I've been a part of didn't feel themselves and get complacent and understood what the real goal was and did a great job of holding each other accountable through those times."

This mindset resonates throughout their locker room. "We're worried about getting ourselves better, literally only focusing on ourselves," Lopez reiterated.

Both franchises share historical connections; coaches Jonathan Gannon of Arizona and Matt Eberflus of Chicago previously worked together, both teams rank among NFL's oldest clubs, and each features No. 1 overall pick quarterbacks.

While recognizing stakes tied into being first place contenders might suggest added pressure for this matchup according to some fans or analysts alike—Lopez stresses every game carries equal weight regardless: “To say one game is more important than another is a lie because it's every week,” adding praise toward fellow teammate Murray’s capabilities saying “We've got Kyler Murray; he can do whatever.”