Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: CHI 24, CAR 20 (Line: CAR by 2.5)

The 2-2 Bears come off a home spanking by the Packers to end a two-game winning streak. The 2-2 Panthers are tied for the top of the NFC South but have lost their last two games and apparently their defense. Both teams have struggles but the Panthers never did have an offense.

Road wins over the Jets and 49ers were confidence builders but it all went south against the Packers last week even though the offense was playing well. The defense continues to struggle but overall the Bears are just playing inconsistently like so many other NFL teams. This first half of the season is more challenging than all those home games to close out the season. It just depends on which Bears team shows up. Winning a home game would be a nice change of pace.

QUARTERBACK : Jay Cutler may have struggled a bit against the Packers but in fantasy terms – so what? He’s thrown for two or more scores in every game and has healthy yardage every week except in San Francisco when he ended with 176 yards and four touchdowns. Cutler has made nice use of not only his two wideouts, but Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte.

RUNNING BACK : He still has yet to score but Mat Forte gained right at 170 total yards in both road games this year and has caught at least five passes in every game. He shares almost nothing and is a dual threat. A few touchdowns would be really nice but Forte is holding his own in a year where top running backs are getting hurt or just flopping.

WIDE RECEIVER : Brandon Marshall only caught two passes for 19 yards and just one for six yards in the previous week. His ankle continues to be an issue who they are considering letting his have some time off to heal. Marshall was gimpy back in week two when he caught three touchdowns in San Francisco but he has not improved and is becoming more of a decoy than a threat. I will project for a gimpy Marshall to play and update as warranted. Alshon Jeffery has been less productive so far this year but did manage a 105 yard effort in New York against the Jets. If Marshall does miss any time, Santonio Holmes would take his place.

TIGHT END : This is the Year of the Bennett. After four games, Martellus Bennett already scored four times and the one game he did not score was when he posted nine receptions for 134 yards against the Packers. Bennett has been more incorporated into the passing scheme this year even if it comes at the expense of the wideouts.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: This depends on which Panthers you get. The most recent Panthers have been playing far worse defense than anytime in the last few years. And they just lost their LE Charles Johnson while benching other players. This was a dominating defense but now has allowed three scores to running backs in the last two weeks along with a staggering 389 rushing yards. They have surrendered five touchdowns to quarterbacks in the last two weeks. Normally this would be a bench your Bears week. But not now. Cutler, Forte, Jeffery and Bennett should start and Marshall needs to show he is better before consideration.

Hard times hit in a hurry. The Panthers are being ravaged with injuries and limited by the protective play of Cam Newton who has yet to run the ball. The defense has taken several injury hits and at some point just cannot keep holding off opponents who are not threatened by the Panthers offense. The bad news is that the schedule is about to get even worse.

QUARTERBACK : Cam Newton continues to avoid running the ball and as a pocket passer he’s just been average. One touchdown every week and around 250 passing yards. Newton has not yet thrown an interception but has been sacked ten times. Until the threat of Newton running is back, the passing game will continue to languish.

RUNNING BACK : The backfield has been a weakness since Newton showed up to steal yards and most touchdowns from the committee. Now Newton is not running and the Panthers lose DeAngelo Williams for a few weeks with a high ankle sprain. Jonathan Stewart (knee) and Mike Tolbert (leg) are also already out. Consult your program because the new committee is Fozzy Whitaker, Darrin Reaves and newly signed Chris Ogbonnaya. This was already one of the worst unit and these players are not an upgrade.

WIDE RECEIVER : To his credit, Kelvin Benjamin has been terrific. He is the only receiver of any note and yet has three touchdowns on the season and averages 82 yards per game for an offense that has no one else to cover. Jerricho Cotchery has long been marginal and Philly Brown is being added to the mix. This is just Benjamin and then a mess of mediocrity which makes the rookie’s success even more impressive.

TIGHT END : Greg Olsen is the only other consistent receiver though his yardage has been lower but he averages 5 catches for 64 yards per week and scored twice. He is more solid than spectacular.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Bears defense has been inconsistent but they have been good against the run and the Panthers are not even sure themselves who will carry the ball. The Bears always allow one score or more to quarterbacks and decent yardage but Newton has just not been as productive as a pocket passer. Consider Benjamin and Olsen as the best starts here and then only Newton would be reasonable. All others are too risky including the logjam at running back.

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