Three-and-Out: Refs miss hold on Cardinals’ TD kickoff return

Three observations from the Bears’ 48-23 loss against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Kickoff blunder

A bad day for the Bears began with Cardinals rookie David Johnson returning the opening kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown.

The officials, though, missed a hold on Bears rookie safety Harold Jones-Quartey, who tried to break up the wedge the Cardinals had formed.

“I tried to get off it and the dude was just holding me the whole time,” Jones-Quartey said. “Even when the ball passed, I still couldn’t move.

“But it’s name of the game. If you don’t get calls your way, there’s no excuses.”

Still no sacks

The Bears’ pass rush was better against the Cardinals, but still hasn’t hit home. The Bears are yet to record a sack this season.

Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee had the best chance, rushing from the inside, quickly beating his block, but whiffing on quarterback Carson Palmer, who completed his pass.

“Just got to finish, man,” McPhee said. “It was a lack of focus on my end. I’ll take that. That could have changed the whole game.”

Forte vs. Langford

Rookie running back Jeremy Langford said the gameplan called for him to carry the load on a full series to spell Matt Forte. It happened late in the first quarter and into the second.

Langford’s series included read-option plays that turned into runs for quarterback Jay Cutler.

“Cutler did a great job of reading and really breaking it off,” Langford said.

Langford capped his series with a one-yard touchdown run.

“I felt good to be in there to help our team to try to pull the win out,” he said.

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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com