Carolina Panthers (1-7) vs. Chicago Bears (2-7)
As the Carolina Panthers prepare to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on the chilly evening of November 9, both teams are desperate to revive their ailing campaigns. The Panthers, with a disappointing 1-7 record, travel to face a Bears team that is not faring much better at 2-7. This Week 10 matchup pits two NFL teams against each other, both of which are seeking to extract some positive NFL daily picks from a season marred by more downs than ups.
For the Carolina Panthers, their offense has struggled to find consistent rhythm, but there have been sparks of potential, particularly in the rushing and receiving departments. Running back Chuba Hubbard, though not posting staggering numbers, has shown some reliability in the backfield with an average of 3.9 yards per carry over seven games. Adam Thielen, a savvy veteran in the receiving corps, has made a significant impact with 581 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, indicating a potential mismatch for the Bears’ secondary that the Panthers may exploit.
Turning to the Chicago Bears, their ground game shows promise, thanks mainly to the efforts of Khalil Herbert. Averaging a robust 5.3 yards per carry, Herbert’s explosiveness has been one of the few bright spots in the Bears’ struggling offense. In the air, wide receiver DJ Moore has been a beacon of productivity, amassing 691 receiving yards with an impressive 15.7 yards per catch. This potency in the receiving game could spell trouble for the Panthers’ defense, which has often appeared porous this season.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears Game Info
| When: | Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 8:15 PM ET |
| Where: | Soldier Field |
| TV: | AMZN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Bryce Young QB vs. Justin Fields QB
The Panthers’ Bryce Young has had a rocky start to his NFL journey. With a passer rating of 82.3 across six games, Young has shown some promise, but his performance has been marred by 22 sacks and 4 interceptions. His ability to extend plays with his legs and improve on his 64.3 completion percentage will be crucial for the Panthers to establish any dominance in this contest.
Justin Fields of the Bears has been a dual-threat quarterback, but his talents have yet to translate into consistent success this season. Despite a slightly higher passer rating of 91.6 and a commendable 7.4 yards per pass attempt, Fields has been on the receiving end of 24 sacks, underscoring the Bears’ protection issues. Fields will need to leverage his mobility and strong arm to overcome a Panthers defense that has been vulnerable to dynamic quarterbacks.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Bears -1.5, Total Odds: 41.5
The betting odds suggest a close contest, with the Bears slightly favored at home. The tight spread of -1.5 indicates oddsmakers’ expectations of a competitive game, while the total of 41.5 reflects the offensive struggles both teams have faced. The slim margin offers an intriguing opportunity for bettors who favor either side in what may turn into a defensive battle.
Carolina Panthers Betting Trends
The Panthers have had a rough season against the spread (ATS), going 1-5 in their last six games. This trend suggests that they have consistently underperformed relative to oddsmakers’ expectations. Additionally, the total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina’s last 9 games, which could be a key factor for those looking to bet the total in this matchup.
Chicago Bears Betting Trends
The Bears have not fared much better ATS, posting a 4-12-1 record in their last 17 games. Such a trend is indicative of a team that’s struggling to meet expectations. However, with the total going OVER in 14 of Chicago’s last 20 games, there’s an argument to be made for expecting a higher-scoring affair than the Panthers’ trends might suggest.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears 11/9/23 Betting Picks
In evaluating the data and trends, this matchup presents a battle of two teams each showing signs of improvement but still lacking consistency. The Panthers’ ability to exploit the Bears’ secondary with Thielen could be key, while the Bears will look to Herbert to continue his impressive performances on the ground.
Given the trends and the struggles both teams have faced, particularly at home for the Bears and on the road for the Panthers, the game may lean towards a lower-scoring affair, which aligns with the Panthers’ UNDER trends. However, the Bears’ tendency to push the OVER could invite a balanced approach to betting the total.
Best betting websites would likely lean towards taking the Bears to cover the narrow spread, especially considering their relatively stronger performances despite the losses. Prop bets could be interesting for individual performances, like Thielen’s receiving yards or Herbert’s rushing yards.
Free Pick and Prediction: Chicago Bears 24, Carolina Panthers 20
