On Sunday, two NFC teams, each eager for a victory, will clash as the Carolina Panthers (1-3, 1-3 ATS) visit the Chicago Bears (2-2, 2-1-1 ATS). The teams faced off last season, with the Bears securing a narrow 16-13 win at home. Recently, Carolina suffered a defeat against Cincinnati, losing 34-24 while failing to cover the spread as 5.5-point underdogs. In contrast, Chicago comes into this matchup after a solid home victory against the Rams, winning 24-18 and successfully covering the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Currently, the Bears are favored by 4 points at home. The game is set to kick off at 1:00 PM EST at Soldier Field in Chicago, with regional coverage on FOX.
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Panthers in the Spotlight: Trade Talk Intensifies
The early season has not been kind to Carolina, as whispers of trade speculation have begun to overshadow their progress on the field. Reports have emerged regarding potential trades involving quarterback Bryce Young, while wide receiver Diontae Johnson’s name has surfaced as a target for teams in need of receiving help. Even with the noise surrounding their roster, the Panthers managed to secure a win against the Raiders and put up a competitive fight against the Bengals. In that Bengals game, running back Chuba Hubbard shined, rushing for 104 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Head coach Dave Canales shared his thoughts with ESPN after the Cincinnati game, stating, “I’m encouraged that our football team continues to improve, but we’ve got to finish.” This weekend, Andy Dalton will be starting his third game for Carolina. In his previous two games, he averaged 269.5 passing yards and completed 65.4% of his passes. Dalton has mostly avoided mistakes, throwing five touchdowns against just one interception. Chuba Hubbard remains a key player, currently leading the backfield with 296 rushing yards and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average, although he has only reached the end zone once. Diontae Johnson stands out as the team’s top receiver, amassing 239 yards on 20 receptions, scoring two touchdowns. Johnson’s connection with Dalton has been beneficial, as he recorded over 80 receiving yards in each of the last two games, including a standout 122-yard performance against the Raiders.
Carolina finds itself ranked 25th in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game, while their defense struggles significantly, allowing a staggering 32.3 points per game. Unfortunately, linebacker Shaq Johnson, their leading tackler, has suffered a torn Achilles and is out for the season. Josey Jewell, another linebacker, is listed as questionable, and the team’s defensive stats show a total of five sacks in four games, led by defensive tackle Jayden Peevy with 1.5. The Panthers have managed to secure three interceptions this season, each from different players, including safety Xavier Woods.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Diontae Johnson, C Andrew Raym, G Robert Hunt, LB Josey Jewell, S Nick Scott
Out: Several players are on the IR, including LB Shaq Thompson, who just suffered an Achilles injury.
Bears Shine on Their Home Turf
The Chicago Bears have recorded a balanced 2-2 season thus far, with both victories coming at home and both losses occurring on the road. The Bears welcome the Panthers to Soldier Field, a venue where they have thrived this season. The NFC North remains competitive, with no team currently holding a losing record. While the Bears sit in fourth place, they boast a promising quarterback in Caleb Williams and have ample opportunities to improve their standing. Although Williams only threw for 157 yards in the last game, he orchestrated four scoring drives and achieved a career-high completion percentage of 73.9%.
Williams is still finding his footing in the professional league and has faced challenges with protection from his offensive line, resulting in a QBR of 29.9, ranking 29th overall. He has been sacked 16 times, the second-highest total in the NFL. However, he has shown flashes of brilliance over the past two weeks, leading the Bears to a win against the Rams and throwing for 363 yards against the Colts the week prior. Williams’ season statistics show he averages 196.8 yards per game with a 3-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. D’Andre Swift has been working towards a breakout performance, and last week he delivered, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. Swift’s average stands at 40.3 yards per game, but he appeared more confident during his most recent outing. D.J. Moore leads the receiving corps with 22 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown, while rookie Rome Odunze has contributed significantly with an average of 16.6 yards per catch, totaling 166 yards on ten catches and one touchdown.
Chicago ranks 20th in the NFL for scoring, averaging 20.3 points per game, while their defense ranks 8th, allowing just 18.8 points per game. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson stands out defensively with two interceptions and four pass breakups. Safety Jaquan Brisker is also making an impact, leading the team with 36 tackles and contributing a sack and one of the team’s five interceptions. The Bears’ defense has registered ten sacks this season, with defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. leading the way with three, showcasing his strength and agility as a second-year player out of Florida.
Injury Report:
Questionable: TE Cole Kmet, G Teven Jenkins, DE Montez Sweat, CB Terell Smith
Best Bets for Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears
The Bears at home are a solid pick in this matchup. They have successfully claimed victory in both their home games thus far, defeating the Rams and the Titans in Caleb Williams’ first career start. Williams, while often compared to fellow rookie Jayden Daniels in Washington, has demonstrated notable growth recently. He showcased his ability to rack up 363 passing yards against the Colts and maintained efficiency with a completion rate of 73.9% against the Rams, all while avoiding turnovers. Facing the Panthers, who currently allow the highest points per game in the league at 32.3, presents a favorable opportunity for the Bears. Carolina’s defense is struggling across the board, ranking 29th against the run, which sets the stage for D’Andre Swift to capitalize on his recent momentum after his strong outing against the Rams. While the Bears continue to develop their chemistry as they integrate new players, the Panthers appear to be in a state of disarray, relying on Andy Dalton as a temporary solution to their larger issues. With a perfect record at home, the Bears are poised to secure another win in this contest.
Expect Chicago to win and cover the spread.
