The Chicago Bears are surprising many people with the hot start they are having. The Carolina Panthers are also turning heads with their play despite missing their MVP. On Sunday, the Bears will look to add another win as they hope to keep up with the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. As for the Panthers, they are currently on top of the NFC South, and will be aiming for bigger legroom atop the division’s standings.
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Betting Preview for the Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers Regular Season Week 6 Game on October 18, 2020
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: Sunday, October 18, 2020, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (+2.5) vs Carolina Panthers (-2.5) – view all 2020 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Chicago Bears (+2.5)
Regular Season Record: 4-1
It’s probably time to admit that the Bears are legit. That’s after they scored a 20-19 win at home against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers last week. Nick Foles started for the Bears and passed for 243 yards and a touchdown with a pick on 30-of-42 completions. As much as it’s easy to make this about Foles and his continued ownership of Brady, the Bears’ win in that game was mostly due to their defense. Chicago made Brady ineffective for most of the night, thanks in large part to Khalil Mack’s activity on the defensive line. Mack had two of the Bears’ three sacks. Chicago is fourth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 20.0 points per game, and has a top-1o pass defense that is surrendering only 230.8 passing yards per contest. Chicago’s defense is a serious threat against any team, unlike that of the Atlanta Falcons’ that could have instilled a false sense of confidence in the Panthers’ last week. After facing the elite defenses of the Indianapolis Colts and the Bucs the last two weeks, Foles could get some more room to breathe in Week 6 against Carolina’s 25th-ranked DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
The Bears are 2-0 against the spread in their last two games as the road team.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (-2.5)
Regular Season Record: 3-2
Somehow, the Panthers keep on winning. After a 0-2 start, the Panthers have racked up three wins in a row, all without do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey, who’s still sidelined with an injury. Last Sunday, Carolina became the latest team to embarrass the Falcons in aa 23-16 home win. Bridgwater was steady under center, as he went 27-of-37 for 313 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Mike Davis has been doing an admirable job of filling in for McCaffrey, and against the Falcons, he rushed for 89 rushing yards and caught nine passes for 60 receiving yards and a touchdown. Carolina is partly having success because it maximizes possessions. The Panthers are averaging just 1.0 giveaway per game, eighth-best in the league, and their +0.6 turnover margin per game is ninth overall. Chicago can make life harder for Bridgewater, but the quarterback’s ability to extend play with his legs is something that can trouble the Bears, who have yet to face a dual-threat signal-caller this season. Bridgewater is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, so far this season.
The over is 4-0-1 in the Panthers’ last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bears win, 24-21.
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