The Chicago Bears will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon in Week 6 of the 2020 NFL season. Chicago leads the all-time series 6-3 and have won the last four of five matchups between the teams. The Bears come into Week 6 with a 4-1 record, having only lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. The Panthers hold a 3-2 record, and are fresh off a win against the Atlanta Falcons last week. Carolina got off to a slow start under the leadership of Matt Rhule, but are on a three-game winning streak and hope to keep the momentum going this week on the strength of their home-field advantage.
Chicago Bears
*On Offense*
The Bears’ offense has improved since Nick Foles took over the starting quarterback position, though he needs better pass protection. Foles was sacked three times last week against Tampa Bay and passed for 243 yards with one touchdown and an interception for an 83.9 rating in that game.
David Montgomery posted a career-high seven receptions and had 59 yards from scrimmage along with his first rushing touchdown of the season in Week 5. He is aiming for his eighth game in a row with 50 or more yards.
Allen Robinson led the team and tied his career-high with 10 receptions for 90 yards last week. It was his fifth career game where he reached 10 catches.
Jimmy Graham recorded a receiving touchdown last week and is looking for his third game in a row on the road with at least one touchdown. In five career games versus Carolina, Graham has accounted for 30 catches and 405 yards to go with four touchdowns.
*On Defense*
On the other side of the ball, Khalil Mack recorded two sacks and a pass deflection in Week 5. He has 14 career games with two or more sacks, and is tied for the fourth-most in the league.
Akiem Hicks is tied with Mack with 3.5 sacks on the season and is gunning for his third game in a row with at least one sack.
Roquan Smith posted seven tackles and two pass deflections against Tampa Bay and will be looking for his sixth game in a row with five or more tackles.
Kyle Fuller recorded six tackles and his fourth career forced fumble last week. He will also be seeking his third game in a row against the Panthers with a pass deflection.
Carolina Panthers
Offense
Teddy Bridgewater has found solid footing with his new team. Last week in the win at Atlanta, Bridgewater passed for 313 yards with two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 116.2 rating. He is currently sitting on two straight games of 250+ passing yards at home.
Mike Davis posted his career-high with 149 scrimmage yards. He also had career-high nine receptions and his third career touchdown reception in Week 5. He will be aiming for his third game in a row with more than 100 scrimmage yards and his fourth in a row with at least one touchdown.
Robby Anderson recorded eight receptions last week for a team-high 112 yards against Atlanta. Anderson is one of three NFC wide receivers to post three 100-plus yard games this season, along with DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley.
D.J. Moore had four receptions in Week 5 for 93 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Curtis Samuel chipped in five receptions for 64 yards.
Defense
Shaq Thompson led the Panthers last week with ten tackles. He has recorded three games with ten or more tackles so far this season, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL.
Brian Burns posted a sack and a forced fumble against Atlanta, and has at least one sack and one forced fumble in two of the last three games.
Marquis Haynes had his third career-sack last week and has now recorded a sack in two of his last three contests.
Rookie Jeremy Chinn recorded nine tackles and a pass deflection last week. He leads all rookies and defensive backs with 43 tackles in 2020.
Juston Burris also had a productive week against Atlanta with his fifth-career interception and he will be shooting for his third game in a row with a pass deflection.
Game Info
Date: October 18, 2020
Time: 1:00 P.M. est
Location: Charlotte, NC
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
TV: FOX
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: CHI +1.5 (-110) | CAR -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: CHI -105 | CAR -125
Over/Under: O 45 (-110) | U 45 (-110)
This has the potential to be a high scoring game, especially if Chicago is able to execute an improved running game. Carolina should easily put three touchdowns on the board. Chicago could do the same if they get past the Panthers’ defensive line. The over is the bet to place on the game this week.
Prediction
The Panthers seem to have worked out the kinks they had in the first two weeks of the season, and the rebuilding of this squad is coming together nicely on both sides of the ball. If the offense continues to work together to move the ball, and the defense gets stops on the other side, the Panthers will secure their third victory in a row.
*Final Score: Chicago 17, Carolina 31*
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Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
