Chicago Bears: Analyzing the Matchups Against the Carolina Panthers
Published by Bob Warja on October 6, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears losing on Sunday night left the Kansas City Chiefs—that’s right, I said the Chiefs—as the only undefeated team in the NFL heading into Week 5. But that loss to the Giants wasn’t your everyday, garden variety loss.
No, it was a disastrous loss on several fronts. For one, it fully exposed every Bears fan’s worst fears, that the offensive line wasn’t up to the task of protecting Jay Cutler and the seven-step drop preferred by offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
Further, the Bears lost two QBs as part of the mayhem. Cutler went out with what the team is calling “a mild concussion” (is there really such a thing?), and his return to the field this Sunday is questionable.
Meanwhile, Cutler’s backup, journeyman Todd Collins hurt his 80-year-old body too, which may leave Caleb Hanie as the starting QB against the Panthers.
Fortunately for the Bears, this came at the best possible time, as these Panthers are just not a good football team. Having said that, however, the Bears can’t be overconfident after last Sunday’s debacle.
In short, what looked to be a fairly easy win (is there such a thing for this Bears team, even before last Sunday?) can easily turn into a loss if the Bears don’t play a much better game.
Carolina hasn’t won a game yet this season, and sits at the bottom of the NFC South division at 0-4. Their minus-41 scoring differential is third-worst in the NFC (Amazingly, the worst team in this category, Arizona, is currently tied for first place in the West).
So, let’s take a look at the key matchups in this game, and predict the final outcome as Julius Peppers lines up against his former team.
