NFL Football Previews – Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears
In the Carolina Panthers’ first two games, rookie quarterback Cam Newton dominated but his team lost. Last week against Jacksonville, Newton came back to Earth but the Panthers won. Which version of Newton – and the Panthers – will we see when they visit Soldier Field and the Chicago Bears this week?
NFL Week 4: Panthers vs Bears
Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: FOX
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears Betting from Bodog.com
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Bears -7
Over/Under: 42.5
Carolina Panthers (1-2)
The Panthers finally got Newton his first win last week, but it was an ugly affair by all accounts. Bad weather was partly to blame as the Panthers and jags both struggled mightily to move the ball.
Newton and the Panthers’ aerial attack had great success against a horrible Cardinal defense in Week 1 and a Packer “D” that has surrendered a surprising number of yards in Week 2, but Carolina’s Week-4 matchup presents a unique challenge. So far this season, the Panthers’ offense has been built around Newton’s big arm, Steve Smith’s big-play ability and deep passes. Against the Bears’ Cover 2, that won’t work, so Sunday’s game should give us our first taste of how Newton responds to a gameplan built to stop him.
Expect the Panthers to use tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey more and for them to limit their rushing attempts. They haven’t run the ball well this season and may be playing catchup anyway. Smith could still play a big role as he’s had major success on underneath routes against the Bears in the past.
Chicago Bears (1-2)
Could Week 4 finally give battered Jay Cutler the break he needs? It’s possible. Thanks to his porous offensive line, he’s been sacked an NFL-high 14 times this season, but the Panthers’ pass rush is cub-like, registering just five sacks so far this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Cutler may actually have time to throw this week. Carolina has also allowed the highest yards per pass play at 9.23 and opposing quarterback rating at 110.8. And this is a team that faced Blaine Gabbert last week. Mike Martz should be licking his chops.
The pick:
While I’m more a believer in Newton’s talent than not, I see Week 4 as a potential “welcome to the NFL” game for him. The matchup is awkward, the defense ferocious, the crowd hostile, the field conditions notoriously slippery.
Since Cutler and the Chicago passing game also have a tasty matchup against the Panthers’ weak defense, I see the Bears covering at home.
Panthers vs Bears prediction: Bears 30, Panthers 17
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Bears -7
Over/Under: OVER 42.5
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