Panthers vs. Bears: 9 Things We Learned from Chicago's 34-29 Win

Admit it, Bears fans. If we're going to take credit for playing three consecutive tough opponents (although I'm not sold on Atlanta), we have to also look at this win with a sideways glance.

In other words, yes, we beat Carolina, but no they are not a good football team. Sure, we'll take the win, gladly. It was a game the Bears simply had to win to have any chance of competing in the division this year and they succeeded.

But other than Cam Newton and some talented players on offense, this Panthers team is just not very good and today they played us tooth and nail until late in the fourth quarter.

But Matt Forte was outstanding and had a career-best day and it was good to see Marion Barber get back on the field.

Meanwhile, Devin Hester was ridiculous once again and established an all-time record with his 11th TD, so there were more than a fair share of highlights for the Bears.

Now the Bears move to 2-2 on the season, so there is still hope for this team.

A win is a win, but every game has some good, bad and even ugly moments. Here they are.

How Do You Leave Steve Smith That Wide Open?

Look, Steve Smith has had his ups and downs in his career, but there is no excuse for what happened on that x-yard pass from Cam Newton in the second quarter.

Smith is the leading receiver in Carolina history. Say what you want about his inconsistencies and injuries, but he is the best receiver on that football field, Bears or Panthers.

Sure, Tim Jennings gave up on the play, but one of the things the cover-2, which every team employs to a varying extent, is supposed to do is provide safety help over the top.

In this case, there was none. Now, whether that was the fault of the scheme, or blown safety coverage by Brandon Meriweather, is debatable.

But what isn't debatable is that there is no way in hell Smith should ever be that wide open. Heck, even Lovie Smith shouldn't be allowed to roam the field without help on him.

One of the things we figured was that Cam Newton would likely be limited to taking what this defense gives, which are short passes underneath. His penchant for throwing deep wasn't supposed to work.

Otherwise, why even run a cover-2?

Smith ended up with 181 yards on eight catches.

Matt Forte—Pay the Man!

Now I don't know what his agents are asking for, or what the Bears are offering. But just get it done, Mr. Angelo because without Matt Forte, this offense is in serious trouble.

No, he's not the best running back in football and is not a free agent, so he shouldn't be paid top dollar.

And yes, he has a contract so he should shut up and play.

But the thing is, he has been a loyal soldier and on Sunday, Forte ran for 205 yards, so his value to the Bears is enormous. They need to sign him to an extension.

Meanwhile, it was also nice to see Marion Barber return. Though he only carried the ball five times, his presence should help take some of the pressure of of Forte and give the opposing defenses someone else to think about.

Why Isn't the Bears Defense Prepared on the Opening Series of Games?

I'm sure that Rod Marinelli is an excellent coach, but why does it seem that the Bears are almost like a sieve on opening possessions?

Even the run defense, which was the hallmark of the 2010 Bears defense, was porous on the opening Carolina drive.

Mind you, this is a Panthers team that couldn't run the ball in their first three games. Yet they ran ragged over a Bears defense that is supposed to be stout vs. the run.

Now, whose fault is that—the players, the coaches?—or is it a coincidence?

It's happened before so this is something that needs some attention.

Devin Hester, We Missed You!

Unsportsmanlike conduct or not, Hester now has the most punt return yards in NFL history.

Heck, if you can't do a couple of somersaults following an accomplishment like that, then there is something wrong.

That quick-strike capability is something the Bears have been missing all year, and boy did they need it today.

On that play, Hester scored his 11th TD, an NFL record.

I think it's safe to say that without Hester, the Bears lose today.  

Now, as a receiver, no thanks. But as a return man, I love me some Hester, and the Bears desperately needed him against Carolina.

He answered the bell.

Bears Scored Early in All 3 Phases

Following Devin Hester's ridiculous punt return in the second quarter, the Bears had already scored a TD on offense, defense and special teams.

And it wasn't even halftime.

Look, this is a Bears team that is lucky to score at all, so this was a key early on.

Sure, it's against a Carolina defense that is not very good, but it shows you how critical turnovers and special teams play is to a Lovie Smith-coached team.

Even the fourth phase (the fans) helped today, and it's always nice to see all areas contribute to a win. Opponents look at the tape from Sunday, and they can't just focus on stopping one area.

Opposing coaches have to consider whether or not to kick to Hester, how to limit Matt Forte, and they know they must be careful as the Bears defenders are always trying to take the ball away.

Just When You Think Cutler Gets It, He Makes You Shake Your Head

I have largely been a supporter of Cutler, and why not? He has a poor offensive line and a collection of mostly bad wide receivers.

Still, I have to be objective and Cutler is such a tease when it comes to proving he has matured as a QB.

I'm not talking about the facial expressions and that meaningless garbage. No, I mean his learning when to throw the ball away.

Look, it's a fair criticism—Jay does not like to throw the ball away.

He did it in the second quarter with pressure in his face and apparently no one open and you say "yes, good decision."

But then he gets away with some very questionable throws, such as that ill-advised shovel pass that was complete but very dangerous.

And then there is the interception in the third quarter. Fortunately, due to a long field goal attempt that came up short, it didn't result in any points for Carolina.

Again, blame Jerry Angelo for not surrounding Cutler with the talent he needs. But it is what it is, so Cutler has got to learn to be more careful and make better decisions.

He wants to do well, and knows he has the talent, so he sometimes forces things. That is dangerous.  

Cam Newton Is the Real Deal

Say what you want about the interception, but when you consider this guy is a rookie, you must be impressed with his performance thus far.

He is big, strong and mobile, with a fastball that rivals Nolan Ryan in his prime. He has a long way to go, of course, before we know just how good the kid is going to be, but so far so good.

Until Sunday, he hasn't even had the benefit of a strong running game, so teams knew Carolina was basically one dimensional and still he had a pair of 400-yard games.

On the flip-side, when you're a team often playing from behind, you are going to throw the ball a lot and sometimes that results in a lot of somewhat meaningless yardage for the QB.

But I see his poise, his strength and that arm, along with his mobility and I believe he is the real deal.

Against the Bears, Newton finished 27-of-46 for 374 yards. He had one TD along with one interception.

Bears Desperately Need Receivers

Help isn't going to come this season, but if Jerry Angelo doesn't go out and either draft or trade for a No. 1 wideout along with another proven receiver, then he is crazy.

Cutler wasn't very good today and a lot of that continues to be two things: the offensive line and wide receivers.

Devin Hester is a legendary return man already, but he simply isn't a wide receiver.

Johnny Knox has the speed but he simply doesn't fight for the ball. Yet he was the only wide receiver to catch more than one ball today.

Dane Sanzenbacher was a nice find as an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, but even he knew the Bears were thin at the position, which is why he chose to come here.

As he told the Chicago Sun-Times, "When everything was equal, I had to go with my best chance to play, and I felt it was Chicago.”

He is a dependable wideout but he shouldn't be your best weapon for Cutler.

Roy Williams plays shorter than his size would have you believe, and simply won't go out of his way to catch the ball. Cutler has little faith that he will be on his spot.

Earl Bennett may be the best the Bears have, but he was out for the second consecutive game on Sunday.

Angelo, you are responsible for this mess and you had better fix it.

Julius Peppers Is Too Good to Be That Invisible

UPDATE: Upon further review, Peppers was given credit for blocking that field goal. At the time of the play, the block was credited to Charles Tillman and, in fact, it certainly appeared like Tillman was taking the credit. But that block was by Peppers, and it was a huge play.

Peppers stands 6'7" but on Sunday vs. the Panthers, he was hardly noticeable. And no matter the reason why, it should have resulted in plays for the other Bears defensemen.

Peppers was in on three tackles, and finally did pressure Newton in the third quarter. But no matter how well Carolina's linemen did blocking him, how can a guy that big and talented not be more of a presence?

The Bears had no sacks, and I understand that part of the reason is that Newton is so strong and mobile in the pocket.

But at least according to the stats on ESPN.com, they didn't even have a QB hit on the afternoon.

So, unless they didn't double team Peppers, someone should have gone in untouched at least once but it never materialized.