Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers Gameday Preview
I’ve decided to do this preview a little differently than the other ones. Instead of going by position, I am going to look at this bigger picture.
To begin with, I am so excited for Ron Rivera. On top of being a former Chicago Bear player and coach, he’s a great guy. I am really pulling for him to be a successful head coach. He’s paid his dues and deserves nothing but respect. Since he left the Chicago Bears after the 2006 season, the defense has never quite been the same. It was reported during Super Bowl XLI that Rivera and Lovie Smith needed to be separated in the tunnel because Rivera wanted to attack the Indianapolis Colts and Smith wanted to sit back in the Cover Two. Regardless if the aggressive approach would have worked, the Bears lost the football game. After the season, Rivera was let go and signed by the San Diego Chargers to be the linebacker coach (for a raise from Chicago) before eventually being promoted to defensive coordinator and now the head coach of the Panthers.
The Panthers drafted Heisman Trophy winner and National Championship quarterback Cam Newton. It wasn’t the most popular pick, but Newton has proven to be a successful NFL quarterback with two four-hundred yard passing performances and leading the Panthers to a victory last week over the Jacksonville Jaguars 16-10. I loved Newton in college and am glad to see him playing well. While I am sure Panthers fans would have preferred Stanford’s Andrew Luck, but Newton was available.
The Panthers feature two running backs between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams is more of a slashing back and Stewart is more of a power runner. Interestingly enough, Stewart is proving to be a solid receiver out of the backfield as well. Newton is also a threat to run the football. In fact, he’s leading the Panthers for rushing yards from scrimmage. Newton’s also rushed for two touchdowns from scrimmage.
Catching the football, Steve Smith is still a weapon. The above-mentioned Stewart is also a good check-down for Newton. Former Chicago Bear Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey provide the Panthers with two solid receiving tight ends. While I am not a big Olsen fan, he’s been available to Newton. Brandon LaFell compliments Smith in the receiving core.
The offensive line hasn’t been solid. Newton has been sacked eight times and the running game hasn’t been established (sound familiar).
Defensively, defensive end Charles Johnson leads the Panthers with three quarterback sacks. Greg Hardy has two sacks from the other defensive end position. This will be a test for the Bears weak tackles. James Anderson leads the Panthers in tackles from the linebacker position. The secondary isn’t very strong. You can throw the football on this team.
As far as the Chicago Bears go tomorrow, this is a must-win game. On paper, this is an inferior team. The Bears two-losses have come at the hands of the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers that are considered Super Bowl contenders. The Chicago Bears need to win this game convincingly and focus on getting back into relevance. The Panthers are a place to start. If the Bears lose, it will be a huge uphill battle the rest of the season.
I think the Bears will rise to the occasion and win this game fairly easily. I’m going 31-10 and this will lead the Chicago Bears back into contention. Bring on the Lions next Monday night. Follow me on Twitter at ChicagoBearJew.
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