Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers Preview

Bears, Panthers Battle in Key NFC Matchup

The Chicago Bears head to Carolina to take on the Panthers with both teams coming off key Week 5 victories. The Bears (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) have a longer week of rest after beating the Buccaneers on Thursday night, while the Panthers (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) have now won three straight games, including two on the road.

Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers
  • Date/Time: October 18, 1 p.m. ET
  • Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
  • TV Coverage: Fox
  • Sportsbook Odds: Bears -2.5 | O/U 43.5 (Line History)
  • Bears vs Panthers Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The game opened with the Bears as favorites at -2.5 and that line has flipped in the Panthers’ favor as money came in quickly on Carolina. The Panthers are now favorites at between -2.5 and -3 depending on the book. The total opened at 43.5 and has moved up to either 44 or 44.5 depending where you look.

Chicago News & Notes

The Chicago Bears may be one of the most average 4-1 teams in recent memory. Mitch Trubisky was benched in favor of Nick Foles in Week 3 due to poor play, and Foles promptly lost his first start and escaped with a lucky win in his second. The Bears have not been particularly good rushing or passing the ball, ranking outside the top 20 in yards per play, points scored and total yards.

A rare bright spot for the offense, look for Bears receiver Allen Robinson to have a big game in Week 6. Robinson is fourth in the league in receptions (35) and seventh in yards (421) and has chipped in a pair of touchdowns.

On defense, the Bears are probably a bit worse than the public perception. But they have been solid against the pass and do sport a talented unit led by star outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

Carolina News & Notes

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been a revelation for the Panthers offense. Bridgewater is second in the league in completion percentage and in the top 10 in yards and QBR. He has the Panthers playing efficient, ball-control football and a big part of the plan has been running back Mike Davis.

Davis has filled in admirably for injured stud Christian McCaffrey and is actually ninth in the league in receptions with 30. Look for Davis to continue to shoulder the load for the Panthers in Week 6.

The Panthers defense is young and has struggled at times this season but is coming off a fantastic performance against the Falcons and should have no trouble slowing the weak Chicago passing game.

Betting Pick: Panthers -2.5

The Bears are not as good as their record would suggest. So we have to believe some regression is coming their way in the win column. It will be hard for them to go on the road and beat a Panthers team that is playing very well.

Shark Bites
  • The Bears are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games.
  • The Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on the road.
  • Carolina is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 at home vs teams with winning records.
CHI is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games.away CHI is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 road games.away CAR is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 at home vs winning teams.home
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