Chicago Bears: 5 X-Factors vs. the Carolina Panthers

There’s no such thing as a must-win game in Week 4 of the NFL season.

For the Chicago Bears, however, this Sunday’s contest against the Carolina Panthers is pretty close.

As the Green Bay Packers (3-0) and Detroit Lions (3-0) take early leads in the NFC North divisional race, the Bears (1-2) could really use an in-conference victory to help them contend with both squads.

The Panthers bring a unique club to Soldier Field this Sunday. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton, freshly-paid running back DeAngelo Williams and a newly-revamped Steve Smith will cause plenty of matchup problems for Bears defenders. Tight end Greg Olsen also will make his Panthers debut at Soldier Field, the field Olsen called home from 2007-2010.

What will this weekend’s contest mean for a pair of 1-2 teams? One will walk away .500, while the other will fall to a miserable 1-3 mark and fall back even farther from the playoffs.

Here are the five X-factors for this Sunday’s showdown.

5. Bears' Safety Play

Injuries have been a problem for the Chicago secondary in the first three weeks. Chris Harris (hamstring) and Major Wright (head) both missed time against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Newly-acquired Brandon Meriweather and reserve Craig Steltz were the starters, and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasted little time hurling first downs to Greg Jennings deep down the field.

Not only are the safeties important in defending the pass, but also play a big role in run stoppage. Harris, for example, is one of the team’s hardest-hitting defensive backs and, often times, acts like the eighth man in the box on obvious run plays. Packers running back Ryan Grant was able to expose this weakness and churn big runs.

Both Harris and Wright were listed as questionable for last weekend. Both were full participants at practice Wednesday. Their status for Sunday has yet to be determined.

4. Cam Newton's Mobility Outside the Pocket

Rookie quarterback Cam Newton has made quite a name for himself in the first three games of his professional career. Newton has already surpassed 1,000 passing yards and has thrown four touchdowns. He also has 98 rushing yards, making him a dual threat quarterback.

The Bears have held mobile quarterbacks in check before via playing a defensive spy, usually middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Newton against the Cover 2 will have the flats and seams to pick on as the defense’s soft spots. It will be interesting to see if a play breaks down or, if no receiver is open, how long Newton waits before he tucks and runs.

3. Panthers Pass Rush

This is a combination of the Carolina defensive line and the Chicago offensive line.

The Bears experienced some rough patches with Frank Omiyale filling in at right tackle. Omiyale had a tough time containing the Packers defensive ends and committed a few false-start penalties.

Carolina defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy have all five of the Panthers' sacks. This could be a good week with favorable matchups for both to rack up a couple more.

One antidote would be for the Bears to limit the pass rush by adding extra protection in the form of tight end Matt Spaeth. Keeping Spaeth on the field more often to serve as a sixth offensive lineman will limit the effectiveness of Carolina’s blitzing off the corners.

Another pro to keeping Spaeth in will be in the ground game. Speaking of the running attack…

2. Bears' Commitment to the Run

Plenty of criticism has fallen on offensive coordinator Mike Martz for his play-calling selections the last two weeks.

In the New Orleans and Green Bay games, Chicago passed the ball 82 times and ran only 20 times, excluding scrambles on broken plays. Passing the rock accounted for 80.1 percent of the offensive plays.

When the Bears and Panthers met in Carolina last season, the Bears dominated the ground game and won by running the football regularly. Granted, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler missed the game with a concussion, but the game plan certainly worked.

For Martz’s own sake, he needs to come back to Earth and avoid becoming pass-happy early. Head coach Lovie Smith has reportedly talked with Martz twice now about balancing the offense.

For fans and players alike, hope that Martz’s talking-to sinks in.

1. The Return of Greg Olsen

Olsen, a 2007 first-round draft pick, was sent from Chicago to the Panthers this offseason in return for a third-round draft pick. Martz had a tough time getting Olsen involved in the Chicago offense last season.

The Bears showed dedication towards Martz and what he wants for his offensive unit, by shipping Olsen, a pass-catching tight end, to make room for free-agent Matt Spaeth, a run-blocking tight end.

Since becoming a member of the Panthers, Olsen has become a favorite of rookie quarterback Cam Newton in the passing attack. Olsen has 12 receptions in three games for 169 yards and a touchdown.

There’s no doubt former Bears defensive coordinator and now first-year head coach Ron Rivera will try to get Olsen involved with the offense.

If last week was any indication, Chicago’s defense might have another matchup problem with a tight end.

The Green Bay Packers abused the middle of the Bears' Cover 2 defense in Week 3. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley had seven catches for 85 yards and three touchdowns. Chicago could not find a defender to contain Finley in the seams.

Olsen and his 6'5” 225-pound frame may have an encore for his former team.

Brett Lyons is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official interview materials.

Follow Brett Lyons on Twitter @BrettLyons670.