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Five things to watch: Panthers vs. Bears

Oct 17, 2020 at 02:00 PM

Myles Simmons

It's crunch time. Get ready for game day, and don't forget the chips as the 3-2 Panthers take on the 4-1 Bears. Here are five things to watch for in the matchup.

Third down and the red zone

Chicago's defense is No. 4 overall, but No. 1 in the red zone and No. 2 on third down, making them excellent in critical situations. The Bears have allowed just a third of opponents' third down opportunities. Only seven of opponents' 19 drives inside the 20 have resulted in touchdowns.

As head coach Matt Rhule pointed out this week, Carolina ranks No. 6 in yards but No. 20 in points. That suggests the Panthers move the ball well but don't finish drives. The club is 27th in red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on just 10 of its 20 red zone trips.

"We haven't been efficient enough in that area. And a lot of (the failed red zone third downs) have been third-and-2 or 3, which is even more frustrating," Rhule said. "When we're able to run the football in the red zone, we score. When we're able to win some one-on-ones, we score."

The Panthers were in a similar situation in Week 4 when the Cardinals came to Charlotte as the league leader in third down defense and No. 2 in red zone defense. Carolina finished 7-of-11 on third down and 4-of-5 in red zone efficiency in that win. The Panthers could use a repeat performance against an elite defense on Sunday.

The fourth quarter

The Bears have been excellent in the fourth quarter, with three of their four wins generated by fourth quarter comebacks. While Chicago hasn't scored a point in the third quarter through five games, the club has outscored its opponents 55-16 in the fourth quarter. Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles has thrown for 301 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in the fourth quarter, though he's completing just 58.8 percent of his passes.

Foles' numbers don't set the world on fire. Still, Carolina won't underestimate his ability to lead a team in crunchtime.

"When teams are down, they're playing free, they're playing loose. They don't have anything to lose," Rhule said. "I think Chicago has a great quarterback in Nick Foles. He's just a proven winner."

Carolina must tighten up on defense in the fourth quarter. The Panthers have held double-digit leads in the second half of each of their three wins, but opponents have scored to make it close. Carolina has been outscored, 36-34, in the fourth quarter this season.

A "pissed off" Mike Davis

Running back Mike Davis totaled a career-high 149 yards from scrimmage last week in his hometown of Atlanta, and now he's facing the team that signed him as a free agent in 2019. Davis played seven games before the Bears released him last year, tallying just 25 yards rushing with seven receptions for 22 yards.

Davis didn't know why his time in Chicago didn't go better than it did, but he's glad to be with Carolina now. And it doesn't seem like Davis has any extra juice to compete against his former team. He wouldn't need it anyway.

"It's just like a switch," Davis said. "I just feel like the person in front of me shouldn't be there. … I don't know, I just want to destroy the person in front of me."

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Replacing Kawann Short

Defensive tackle Kawann Short has suffered a season-ending shoulder injury for the second consecutive year, and now Carolina has to replace his production. Zach Kerr will likely start on Sunday, as he did when Short was out in Weeks 2 and 3 with a foot injury. But Carolina won't replace Short's production with one player.

"It's going to be by committee, and I think it's going to be cool to see some of the guys that haven't gotten the opportunities that they should've or that they could get, based on the guys that are in front of them," Kerr said.

Sixth-round pick Bravvion Roy could see his playing time increase. Rhule has touted Efe Obada's versatility to play both end and tackle. The Panthers may bring up a player from the practice squad as well, with a few spots open on the 53-man roster plus the ability to activate a player for the game.

Whoever is in must do a better job of defending the run after Carolina surrendered 6.9 yards per carry against Atlanta in Week 5.

"If everyone's in their gap, and defends their gap, and everyone tackles, then you can have a good run defense," Rhule said. "It's about guys not doing silly things, spinning out of gaps, not getting in the right gap. It's about tremendous discipline and toughness versus a very good offensive line and running game."

Can Bridgewater stay upright?

The Panthers have done an excellent job of protecting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater over the last two games. The quarterback has not been sacked, and opponents have registered just seven quarterback hits. The offensive line deserves plenty of credit for that, but so do the tight ends and running backs who have been instrumental in pass protection.

But the Bears' pass rush poses significant problems, led by former first-round pick Khalil Mack. Rhule coached against Mack when the edge rusher starred for the University at Buffalo and would use his film as teaching tape.

"He's just so consistent, plays so hard, and plays the run as well as they pass," Rhule said.

A quick-passing game could help the Panthers negate the intense pass rush, but it won't be easy to stop players like Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Robert Quinn.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith runs into the end zone after catching a 58-yard pass by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme to score a touch down in the first quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Kelvin Benjamin carries the football The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.

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Kawann Short The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.

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Shaq Thompson makes a tackle The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.

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Cam Newton The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.

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Cam Newton rushes The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Chris Chandler (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Mike Rucker (93) in the second quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers' Dee Brown (22) runs past several Chicago Bears players for a two yard touchdown in the second quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

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Carolina Panthers defensive Julius Peppers (90) works against Chicago Bears offensive tackle Fred Miller during their NFL football divisional playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, in Chicago. Peppers was one of seven players to miss practice Wednesday as the Panthers prepared to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game on Sunday, Jan. 22. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (55) sits on the bench with teammate Lance Briggs following their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The Panthers' defeated the Bears 29-21 and will play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC conference championship. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) gets away from Chicago Bears' linebacker Lance Briggs during the fourth quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The Panthers defeated the Bears, 29-21, and will play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC conference championship. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Carolina Panthers' Kris Mangum makes the catch on a one-yard pass from Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme for a touch down in the fourth quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme celebrates with a few seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. The Panthers defeated the Bears 29-21 and will play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC conference championship. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 15, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Bears 29-21. (AP Photo/David Stluka)

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Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad #87 of the Chicago Bears reaches out for a pass against the Carolina Panthers in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 15, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Bears 29-21. (AP Photo/David Stluka)

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Chicago Bears' Olin Kreutz (57) tries to push off Carolina Panthers' Jordan Carstens (67) as Carstens sacks Bears quarterback Rex Grossman during the fourth quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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A pass intended for Chicago Bears Justin Gage (12) goes through his fingers and those of Carolina Panthers defenders Chris Gamble (20) and Mike Minter during the second quarter of their NFC divisional playoff football in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Chicago Bears' Greg Olsen (82) loses the ball after being hit by Carolina Panthers' Chris Harris (43) during the third quarter of the Panthers' 20-17 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. The Panthers recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Chuck Burton

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Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) and Nate Salley (25) celebrate as head coach John Fox, right, looks on in the closing minutes of the Panthers' 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Chuck Burton

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers tight end Jeff King (47) holds onto the ball after a tackle during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton (18) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) calls out a play during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover (45) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (99) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers scores the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium on September 14, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Bears 20-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

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Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) is tackled by Chicago Bears safety Major Wright (27) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. The Bears won 34-29. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reaches for the end zone on a touchdown, as Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather (31) and cornerback Tim Jennings close in during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

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Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) reaches in to block a field goal attempt by Carolina Panthers' Olindo Mare (10) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. The holder is Jason Baker (7). (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) hands off the ball to running back Matt Forte (22) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. The Bears won 34-29. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) is tackled from behind by Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

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Chicago Bears' Devin Hester (23) races past Carolina Panthers' Sean Considine (37) on his way to a 69-yard punt return in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles for a gain during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday October 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago won 23-22. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)

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CHICAGO - JANUARY 15: Running back DeShaun Foster #26 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the football against the Chicago Bears in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 15, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Bears 29-21 (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)

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CHICAGO - JANUARY 15: Players line up at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 15, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Panthers defeated the Bears 29-21 (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)