The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are both 2-2 and playing below expectations after losses to the Packers and Ravens, respectively. For Chicago, the offense has been spotty and the defense bad, while Carolina's normally vaunted defense has been a major letdown over the past two weeks. For each to get back on the winning track, improvements need to be made in different areas.
Bears vs. Panthers 2014 picks and predictions: Chicago garnering respect from analysts
Carolina and Chicago are both coming off tough losses and hope to rebound behind different strategies.
Streeter Lecka
Chicago has all the components of a great offense with Jay Cutler throwing to Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte running the ball. Head coach Marc Trestman is known as an offensive wizard from his assistant days with the San Francisco 49ers, but the attack has failed to launch consistently. The Bears are ranked 14th and 20th in passing and rushing yards per game, respectively, and Forte is averaging 4 yards per carry.
Conversely, the Panthers, who ranked second in total defense last season, are sitting at 24th. A major reason is the loss of defensive end Greg Hardy, who has been on the exempt list since Week 2 after being convicted of assault charges and communicating threats this summer. Hardy racked up 15 sacks last season, and Carolina's next-highest total was Charles Johnson at 11. This season, Johnson has just three tackles and no sacks. The defense also ranks 27th against the run, allowing more than 140 rushing yards per game.
Here at SB Nation, this contest proved one of the harder predictions. Of our seven analysts, five went with Chicago to get the important win on the road, while Ryan Van Bibber and David Fucillo went with the Panthers.
At ESPN.com, Keyshawn Johnson and Eric Allen were the only two of 13 experts to roll with Cam Newton and Carolina. Five of the eight NFL analysts at CBS Sports sided with the Bears, and the Panthers are being picked by four of the five pundits at NFL.com.
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