A pair of NFC teams looking to take a step towards the postseason after failing to make them in 2012 will hit the field against each other in a preseason tune up. The Chicago Bears will hit the road and take on the Carolina Panthers.
- When:
Fri., Aug. 9th, 2013 @ 8:00pm ET
- Where:
Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Who’s Favored?
Panthers by 2.5 ~ 34 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had a mediocre season in 2012 after garnering the rookie of the year in 2011. What’s interesting though is that his QBR was higher. Still, Carolina is trying to take that next step. By all accounts according to his coaches Newton is making strides. Carolina is in a tough division in the NFC South with Atlanta and New Orleans.
Statistically, the Panthers were a solid team last season, ranking in the middle in passing and in the top-10 in the league in rushing. Defensively, they were 13th, and 14th respectively against the pass and run. It’s the little things that need to be done to win games that Carolina needs to get better.
Chicago saw two of their NFC North division rivals make the postseason while they sat back and watched from the couch. The Bears defense will look quite a bit different this season with Brian Urlacher gone. Urlacher and the Bears simply couldn’t come to terms on an agreement. He retired in the offseason as a result.
As for the players on the team, quarterback Jay Cutler leads an offensive that lacked in passing production, ranking 29th in 2012. Running back Matt Forte anchored the run game which ranked in the top-10 in the league.
Cutler threw for 19 touchdowns to 14 interceptions, a ratio that will need to get better for Chicago to Challenge Green Bay, Detroit, and even Minnesota for the division.