Reason for Optimism (Vs Bears)

[Lout]

Firstly, the Panthers and Bears have had 1 common opponent this season, the Green Bay Packers. Both games were played on the respective teams' home field, and both played fairly close games with the defending super bowl champs. - DRAW

Secondly, the more I think about it, the more I believe the Jaguars game was a trap game for Carolina, in which, we came out victorious. I feel the Jags game was sandwiched between a game vs the defending super bowl champs (we gave them our best shot, as do all teams playing the champs), and a game in which Ron Rivera admitted was going to be a very special game vs his old team the Chicago Bears.. so I expect him to have looked forward a bit to this game, and may not have given his best shot towards the Jaguars. Hence, Cam Newton's sup-par game.

Thirdly, the Statistics. I feel our statistics are fairly similar to the Bears thus far, but we beat them in several key categories. Obviously, past statistics do not win games, but I like what I see here.

Key notes: Chicago is allowing 70% passing completion through 3 games.. that's very very high. I expect Cam to have a big game. The Bears rushing offense is worse than ours! I feel like many critics are handing us a loss for this game before it has been played, and I just don't see it. I feel we matchup well with the Bears.

OFFENSE

Panthers / Bears

First Downs - 68/47

3rd Down %- .375/.275

Passing Yards- 1012/858

Running Yards- 252/161

Total Yards - 1264/1019

Sacks Allowed- 8/14

Touchdowns- 6/6

T.O.P.- 31:38/26.32

Turnover Ratio- -2/2

DEFENSE

First Down Allowed- 44/60

3rd Down % Allowed- .342/.395

Pass % Allowed- 63%/70%

Passing Allowed- 756/886

Running Allowed- 351/328

Total Allowed- 1107/1214

Sacks- 5/8

Forced Fumbles- 3/3

INTs- 1/2

[Peppers90 NC]

I give us a 50/50 chance. Good thing the game in Chicago is early in the year and not in December.

[jtnc]

I also hope Chris Harris remains sidelined with that hammy. And I believe the team has now got that first W and want more, especially Cam. So expect them to come fully prepared, it'll be fun if Cam and Olsen get into a rhythm and start lighting it up.

[Seamonk]

Im pretty optimistic for the season in general. We're on an upward trend and so far we have no reason to be concerned.

[chknwing]

"We don't play many teams who get off the bus and their quarterback looks like Julius Peppers" -- Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith on the Carolina Panthers

[Kevin Greene]

The numbers certainly look good.

Vegas still says Bears -6.5.

Hope Cam gets off to a fast start and our D sticks Cutler's nose in the turf early.

[dimbee]

It will be interesting watching the 2 stat sheets line up against each other and go at it on Sunday. I hope it doesn't rain! :D

[The Saltman]

I mean, 2 yards?

Really?

[edromeo]

Key notes: Chicago is allowing 70% passing completion through 3 games.. that's very very high. I expect Cam to have a big game. The Bears rushing offense is worse than ours! I feel like many critics are handing us a loss for this game before it has been played, and I just don't see it. I feel we matchup well with the Bears.

The Bears Tampa-2 defense forces teams to check down because the Peppers lead pass rush typically gets pressure with 4 before the downfield receivers get open.

So while they give up 70% comp rate is misleading especially considering they've faced 2 of the best passing offenses in the league (Saints, Packers) and they do a decent job on 3rd down.

Back to the Cover 2/Tampa 2.

Thankfully playing the Jags kinda prepares Chudz/Cam going into the Bears game because the Jags playing a lot of Cover 2 zone.

But, the difference in pass rush is night and day and Lovie Smith plays a bit more of a Tampa 2 then a Cover 2.

Imo this defense will present the greatest test for Chudz/Shula and Cam thus far.

[liljah8303]

Ill take the panthers with the spread, hell Ill take them without the spread.

3 keys for us to win.

-Special Teams.

-Contain Forte

-Win the turnover battle.

One thing that scares me is Pep. He can sniff out screens like its nobodies business. Its gonna be a good game but Im going with the Panthers.

Car-30

Chi-20

[Mr. Scot]

I have three reasons for optimism.

They each started at 1pm over the past few Sundays, except for the very first which started at 4:15.

[liljah8303]

I have three reasons for optimism.

They each started at 1pm over the past few Sundays, except for the very first which started at 4:15.

I dont get it

[R0ck0]

Harris will play this game. He wants to play his former team... badly. The Bears entire D is different with him in the game.

[Peppers90 NC]

Ill take the panthers with the spread, hell Ill take them without the spread.

3 keys for us to win.

-Special Teams.

-Contain Forte

-Win the turnover battle.

One thing that scares me is Pep. He can sniff out screens like its nobodies business. Its gonna be a good game but Im going with the Panthers.

Car-30

Chi-20

I would add Urlacher and Briggs. Their back 4 doesnt pose much of a threat, but their front 7 is quite nice. They will do their best not to let Cam get into space and take away shorter passing lanes. I see us taking quite a few deep shots in this one. I'm not letting those horrific conditions from Sunday influence my thought that Cam can dominate their secondary.