Preview—Panthers-Bears: A Battle Between Potential NFC Sleepers

In Week One the Panthers beat the San Diego Chargers 26-24 in one of the biggest upsets of the week.

This week they look to carry the momentum from their monumental overthrow of SD to their 2008 home debut against the Chicago Bears, another potential NFC sleeper who took down an AFC powerhouse in their season-opener.

The Panthers running offense looked great against San Diego.  The power-and-speed platoon of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 139 yards on 28 carries against a Chargers rush defense that was considered one of the best in the NFL.

The passing game started slow and was rocky throughout, but it clicked when it counted most.

The Panthers won the game on an amazing 14-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Jake Delhomme to tight end Dante Rosario as time expired, just as I had predicted before the snap.  

Rosario instantly became a household name for making the catch, and he added the grab to his previous six catches for 82 yards.

Meanwhile the rush defense held beast Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson to just 97 yards on 21 carries.  

The pass defense was the Panthers’ Achilles Heel against San Diego.  Starting quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns.  Yet somehow none of the Chargers receivers had more than four catches for 61 yards.

No matter what, the Chargers threw two touchdown passes in the last 3:30 of the game.  This nearly lost the Panthers a game that they really deserved to win.  Carolina’s pass defense needs to get better.

The Bears, meanwhile, took down the Indianapolis Colts 29-13. 

Rookie running back Matt Forte stole the show for the Bears.  He ran for 123 yards on 23 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run.

The passing game’s only purpose was to balance minimally with the running game.  Starting QB Kyle Orton only threw for 13-of-21 for 150 yards but no touchdowns.  The Bears don’t have any legit receivers, but tight end Desmond Clark led the team against the Colts with two receptions for 46 yards.

Chicago’s run defense is definitely its strength—it held Indy’s stud running back, Joseph Addai, to just 44 yards on 12 carries. 

But the passing defense is a concern.  Colts field general Peyton Manning passed for 30-of-49 completions for 257 yards and a touchdown.  Wide receiver Reggie Wayne led the Colts with 10 receptions for 86 yards.

This match-up is about even.  But I see the Panthers winning just because they have a far superior passing attack to the Bears.  It doesn’t make a different if the other team’s secondary is sub-par if your receivers can’t do anything against them.