One with a 4 game winning streak, one with a 4 game losing streak. Easy huh? It already smells.
CAR is 1-5, but throw out the blowout @ the Giants week 3, and the Panthers have lost the other 4 games by a combined 17 points. And this to ATL, DAL, SEA, and TB, All 5 of those opponents collectively sport a sterling 21-12 record. Their 2 road losses, @ ATL and @ TB, were by 2 and 6 points.
Meanwhile, the Bears 5 wins, INDY, DET, STL, JAGS, and DAL, check in with a combined record of only 12-19.
Let's face it, the Panthers season, and Ron Rivera's job, is already on the line. The firing of GM Marty Hurney on Monday will have everyone wondering about their jobs. FEAR, what a great motivator.
Despite recent defensive losses to Beason and Gamble, I look for Carolina to come in an angry team, a wounded dog mentality, against a Bears team with a very good defense but a very mediocre offense led by 25th rated passer Jay Cutler. I'll grant you, Newton isn't rated that much higher, but we all know what he can do with his legs. In fact, Newton led the Panthers to over 500 yards of offense last year in a 5 point loss at CHI. Perhaps that game film he's studying right now will give him some much needed confidence. His improvisation will reap rewards tomorrow, that is, if the Panthers expect to have a shot at winning.
And since we brought up last years game, to be fair, Matt Forte ran for over 200 yards, and 166 in 2010 against CAR, so fantasy players may want to consider Mr. Forte.
These teams have played 5 times since 2005, the road team checks in @ 4-0-1 ATS. I don't know what the ATS record is when teams on 4 game winning streaks play teams on 4 game losing streaks but I suspect it would be favorable number for the Carolina Panthers of the world.
A supreme effort by Carolina will be required and I believe professional pride will keep this one close. They will be focused. A Panther win would not surprise me. After all, this is the NFL...
CAROLINA +8
Good luck to all!