What It Means
The rebuilding Bears have been better than expected this year, but Sunday was the type of game the Panthers should have won. That they didn't is a brutal blow nearly midway through the season.
Carolina dominated Chicago rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who completed just four passes, and the rest of the stat sheet. But the offense could never get going after a huge mistake ruined what had been a promising opening drive. The Panthers' plan to get Curtis Samuel more involved backfired when the second-round pick mishandled a long pitch from Cam Newton. It was a punch from which the Panthers never recovered.
The loss drops Carolina to 4-3 with another road game ahead. That will be in Tampa next Sunday.
Health Watch
—Center Ryan Kalil lasted just one quarter in his first game back after a five-game absence. Kalil aggravated his neck injury and was replaced for the final three quarters by Tyler Larsen.
—Left tackle Matt Kalil had his left ankle rolled up on early in the second quarter. Amini Silatolu replaced Kalil for a few plays while trainers taped his ankle.
—Guard Trai Turner did not return after he injured his left knee late in the third quarter. He was replaced the rest of the way by Silatolu.
—Tight end Greg Olsen made the trip to the city where he was originally drafted. Olsen, who broke his right foot in Week 2, is out of a cast and remains on track to return Thanksgiving weekend against the Jets.
Extra Points
—It's never a good thing for the Panthers when the 2010 team is referenced. Well, the last time they gave up two defensive touchdowns in the same game was during a 37-13 loss to Baltimore in 2010.
—Bears defensive back Eddie Jackson became the first player in NFL history with multiple defensive touchdowns of 75-plus yards in the same game.
—The Panthers are now 0-5 at Soldier Field in the regular season. Carolina's only win at Chicago was in the 2005 Divisional Playoff.
—Trubisky attempted just seven passes, but this is still … something. The Panthers extended their franchise-worst interception-less streak to six games.
—The Bears had five first downs, two third-down conversions, 153 yards, a 21:25 time of possession and scored 17 points. The Panthers had 20 first downs, six third-down conversions, 293 yards, a 38:35 time of possession and scored three points.
