NFL Week 4 Preview: How the Carolina Panthers Can Upset the Chicago Bears

The Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears are set to square off this Sunday. Both teams come into the game with a 1-2 record with hopes of getting back to .500.

For the Panthers, it would mean matching last year's win total, and for the Bears, it would mean getting back into the hunt in the NFC North. Detroit and Green Bay are currently tied atop the division at 3-0 and already boast a two-game lead over Chicago.

Sunday's tilt between the Panthers and Bears should prove to be a good one. Carolina is vastly improved from a year ago and Chicago hasn't lived up to expectations thus far. 

There are a variety of things to examine ahead, so let's get started and look at how the Panthers can even their record and match last year's win total of two games.

Give More Carries To Jonathan Stewart

DeAngelo Williams may collect checks that have a greater dollar amount than Jonathan Stewart's, but that shouldn't stop the Panthers from feeding Stewart the ball more. It's become a much discussed issue in the Carolinas regarding "Double Trouble."

The fact Williams leads the team in carries, yet still trails Stewart and Newton in rushing yards is beyond troubling. Carolina is in a tough spot with Williams and all it can really do is hope that he breaks out of his slump.

But, until he starts showing the speed and elusiveness that made him so dangerous in the past, the Panthers need to give the ball to Stewart, who is simply running the ball better at this point. Plus, Stewart has the explosiveness and size to go up against a physical Bears defense.

Chicago is giving up over 100 yards on the ground this season per game, so it isn't as if this defense can't be run on. Seeing how Stewart has outperformed Williams through three games, it's time the coaching staff starts divvying up the carries accordingly. 

Load the Box on Defense

Matt Forte and the Bears' running game has been atrocious this season, but so has the Panthers' run defense.

Something's got to give on Sunday. 

The Panthers' secondary has played pretty well this season minus a few defensive lapses here and there, so they should be able to match well with a Chicago receiving corps whose top receiver is Johnny Knox. 

Chris Gamble has looked like an elite cornerback thus far, which will lead to Knox and Devin Hester having rough days. 

Forte is the one Bear outside of Jay Cutler that the Panthers really need to worry about. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, and run the ball when given the opportunity, is something that has to have Ron Rivera worried.

If the Bears are able to run the ball, they will win this game.

It's up to the coaching staff of the Panthers to make sure that doesn't happen. Make Cutler and his receivers beat you, not Forte and the running game.

Keep Cam Newton Throwing

Despite having a "mediocre" game against Jacksonville, the Panthers can't try to reign in Newton. He was off against the Jaguars, missing high on a variety of throws, and if he would have hit them the game probably wouldn't have been as close as it was.

It's becoming increasingly evident that Carolina isn't going to be a run-first team anymore. Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski wants to push the ball down the field via a vertical passing attack. This means lots of long developing routes that leave Newton exposed to take some hits back in the pocket.

But, due to his size and athleticism, he is often able to buy time for receivers to finish off routes or find a way to get open when they are well covered. The Panthers haven't held Newton back thus far, but against a respected defense on the road, Rivera and Co. may have a more conservative plan in place.

It would be a mistake for Carolina to scale things down.

The Panthers are going to go as far as Newton's right arm will take them, and it will take them far as long as they are willing to suffer through the growing pains—the Jaguars game is a perfect example of a "growing pains" game.

As of now, the Bears rank 26th in pass defense—albeit they have played three good teams with established quarterbacks. Still, this is a defense that isn't feeling good about themselves right now and has shown it can be exposed, especially through the air.

Trust in Cam Newton and he will reward you—most of the time.

Blitz! Blitz! Blitz!

Jay Cutler is tied for first in the NFL in times being sacked. The Bears' offensive line isn't very good and the play calling of offensive coordinator Mike Martz doesn't exactly help Cutler.

Martz wants to move the ball down the field with big plays, but it takes time to do that, something the offensive line isn't capable of giving Cutler.

When the Panthers come to town, they need to come with the mentality of hitting Cutler as much as possible. There are going to be plenty of opportunities for Carolina to bring the Bears' quarterback to the ground on Sunday, but the most important part is generating hurries and pressure.

Pressure forces a quarterback into making poor decisions, something Cutler makes even when he isn't under pressure, although his decision-making has improved over the years. 

Even though the Panthers' secondary has been solid through three games, it still has had some major defensive lapses. For Carolina to win this game, it is going to need to step up the pressure in a big way.

Throw Steve Smith the Ball

Steve Smith is Carolina's most dangerous receiving weapon. The Panthers rely on Smith's big play ability and his yards after catch to help win football games.

After a 2-14 season in which he didn't get the ball nearly enough, Smith has once again become a big part of the offense. Cam Newton's play has rejuvenated No. 89 and has helped him go over 150 yards receiving twice in three games.

Against the Jaguars, Smith had just two catches for 15 yards, but there were a number of throws that Newton missed while Smith was open.

The Bears are going to key in on the talented wide receiver and force other players to beat them, although the presence of Greg Olsen in the middle should help free up Smith on the outside at times. 

Bottom line—the Panthers need to get the football to Smith at least six to seven times if they want to win this game.