Bears Vs. Panthers Betting Preview And Pick Chicago Doing Best Work On Road

One is Arizona, which has beaten the Giants and 49ers. Another is Seattle, which knocked off the Packers in Week 1.

The third NFC team with a perfect conference mark might be harder to guess. After all, this team has hardly looked capable of a perfect mark in anything after losing its last two games by a 75-29 margin.

But look at the standings, and there the Panthers sit with a 2-0 NFC record. In case you forgot, Carolina (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) began its season with victories at Tampa Bay and at home against Detroit.

Since then, the Panthers have run into major trouble, struggling to keep up in losses to the Steelers and Ravens of the AFC North.

However, with a win Sunday against the Bears (1 p.m, ET, Fox), the Panthers will have a third conference win – and a valuable head-to-head tiebreaker against a potential competitor for a playoff spot.

But beating Chicago won’t be easy. The Bears (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) have won both of their road games this season.

If only the Bears were better at home. The Week 1 loss to underdog Buffalo was an early bump in the road, and Sunday’s 38-17 defeat to visiting Green Bay leaves a real sour taste. If the Packers hold serve at Lambeau Field when the teams meet again in November, the Bears’ division-title chances will be compromised.

This will leave the wild card as perhaps the primary path to the postseason for Chicago.

Which means Sunday’s game against the favored Panthers could be very important to the Bears, too.

The Line: Panthers -2.5 (-120), Total: 45.5.

Line movement: As of Thursday, Panthers backers can find sports books at which to lay 2.5 points with increased vigorish (-120) or 3 points at even money. Conversely, Bears backers going for the gusto can take 2.5 points at even money or elect to take 3 points with added juice. For updated spreads and totals from around Las Vegas, visit our live odds page.

Trends that matter: The Panthers are 14-8-1 against the number off a loss in Ron Rivera’s tenure (63.6 percent).

Carolina is 10-5-1 ATS as a home favorite since Rivera’s tenure started in 2011.

The Bears are 5-5 ATS and SU on the road under Marc Trestman. The OVER is 8-2 in those games.

The Panthers are 23-16 against the spread against NFC opponents in Rivera’s four seasons (59.0 percent).

Entering Week 5, road teams were 31-28-2 against the number (52.5 percent).Note: Historical point spread trends are cited from the Spreadapedia database.

Olsen, Benjamin will challenge Chicago’s secondary: The Panthers’ passing game would be better off if Steve Smith were still on the club. However, the Panthers aren’t bereft of capable pass catchers. Ex-Bears tight end Greg Olsen (21 passes, 254 yards, two touchdowns) and rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin (21 passes, 329 yards, three touchdowns) are each having productive seasons. Benjamin (6-5, 240) has looked like one of the NFC’s better starting receivers right off the bat, while Olsen (6-5, 243) has been one of the Panthers’ key targets since joining Carolina. The Bears’ defensive backs can’t allow Olsen and Benjamin to use their size to get position. Benjamin could be an especially tough matchup for a secondary without a cornerback standing taller than 6-foot-1.

Through three starts, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is completing 63.3 percent of his passes, which would be a career-high mark over a full season. Newton takes care of the ball – he’s yet to be intercepted – and he has outstanding arm strength. He is running much less than in past seasons (eight carries, 33 yards), which could be related to injured ribs suffered in the preseason.

Panthers’ ground game update: The Panthers will be without starting tailback DeAngelo Williams (ankle) on Sunday. This leaves rookie Darrin Reaves as the top option in the backfield, especially if Jonathan Stewart (knee) remains out. The Bears have had their struggles against the run, but can the Panthers make them pay?

Forte presents matchup problem for Carolina: While the Panthers are surely wary of the Bears’ potent passing game, they could also have their hands full with Chicago’s ground game. Bears tailback Matt Forte is one of the game’s most versatile performers at his position. He can run inside and outside, and he is wonderful in the passing game.

The Panthers’ run defense, meanwhile, has been a weakness. The Panthers have surrendered at least 102 yards rushing in 3-of-4 games; by contrast, they gave up 100-plus yards on the ground in just 5-of-16 regular season contests a season ago.

Injuries that matter: In something of a surprise, Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) put in a full practice on Wednesday, a signal he’s good to go for Sunday. Defensive end Jared Allen was limited Wednesday; he missed Week 4 with a case of pneumonia, losing some weight in the process.

Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (hip) sat out practice on Wednesday. Stewart (knee) was limited. Williams (ankle) has been ruled out.

Weather: Conditions will be favorable Sunday in Charlotte, with clear skies, light winds and temperatures in the 60s in the forecast. Visit Weather Underground for the latest forecast.

Handicapping help: Bears-Panthers matchup analysis | Power Ratings | CHI team page | CAR team page

The Linemakers’ lean: The Bears can score; the Panthers struggle in that department, and the injuries in their backfield and a still-sore Cam Newton (just eight carries this season), won’t help this week. Chicago was victimized by some bad luck last week vs. Green Bay (the Bears outgained the Packers 496-358, had a 33-21 edge in first downs and a 36-23 edge in time of possession). Watch for Matt Forte to carry Chicago against a weak Carolina run defense. Bears +3 (-120)

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