Sitting at 1-2 last year's NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears, need a win. Quarterback Jay Cutler's health is again in the spotlight, but this has more to do with the Bears' record-setting pace for sacks allowed. In the middle of that controversy sits offensive coordinator Mike Martz, no stranger to controversy or getting his quarterbacks injured. Can they feast on a young Carolina Panthers team in rebuilding mode this week?
NFL Picks Week 4: Panthers Vs. Bears
Will the Chicago Bears and Matt Forte spoil Ron RIvera’s return to the Windy City?
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Maybe. Carolina’s new head coach Ron Rivera has deep ties to the Bears. His rookie quarterback, Cam Newton, has been the talk of the NFL. The first-overall pick in this year’s draft topped 400 yards passing in his first two games, a record, including a game against the Super Bowl champs.
Newton aside, the player to watch in this game is Matt Forte, the Bears' running back unhappy about the lack of workload he's been given. Peter King sees the Bears wising up and making Forte the man against Carolina this week in order to scratch out the win.
The difference: Matt Forte. Call his name early and often, Mike Martz.
Andrew Sharp at SB Nation takes the Panthers to cover the 7-point spread. ESPN’s experts and two computers all side with Chicago.
For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Girdiron. Head over to Cat Scratch Reader for the Panthers’ perspective.
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