The Carolina Panthers face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in the Windy City, in the very early hours of Friday morning UK-time.
Kick-off, on Nov 10th, is at 01.15.
Both sides prop up their respective Divisions and are enduring seasons they’d wish to forget. For one, perhaps a degree of optimism can be injected on Thursday evening in the US, which of course is Friday, early hours, in the UK.
Match odds
Ahead of kick-off, the main core markets are as follows;
Money Line Bears @ 8/15, Panthers @ 6/4
Spread (handicap) Bears – 3.5, Panthers +3.5 (both @ 10/11)
Total points Under 38.5 @ 20/21, Over 38.5 @ 20/23
A fascinating contest in store then, between two struggling sides looking to secure a morale-boosting win. Odds and lines can always fluctuate between now and game time.
Latest from NFL.com on the injury front, as to whether players participated in the latest practice session.
Panthers
WR D.J. Chark (elbow) did not participate in Tuesday’s walk-through practice.
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) DNP
TE Stephen Sullivan (shoulder) DNP
LB Brian Burns (concussion) DNP
LB Luiji Vilain (knee) placed on injured reserve.
LB Chandler Wooten (ankle) placed on IR.
CB C.J. Henderson (concussion) DNP
S Xavier Woods (thigh) DNP
Bears
QB Justin Fields (right thumb) was listed as limited in Tuesday’s walk-through practice.
RB Khari Blasingame (concussion) DNP (need to be cleared as per concussion protocol ahead of Thurs if he’s to feature)
RB Khalil Herbert (ankle) full
WR Equanimeous St. Brown (hamstring) full
TE Cole Kmet (knee) full
LB Tremaine Edmunds (knee) DNP
S Jaquan Brisker full
Total points Over 38.5 @ 20/23
Ist half total points Over 19.5 @ 5/6
Carolina hits the road in Week 10 looking for their first regular-season victory in the Windy City in a Thursday night clash (Fri, UK).
All time, this will mark the 11th standard matchup between the two, with the Bears leading the series 7-3, including a 5-0 record in Chicago. The teams last squared off in 2020 at Bank of America Stadium, where the Bears defeated Carolina 23-16.
This will mark the Panthers’ first trip to Chicago since 2017, and their lone win there came in the divisional round of the 2005 playoffs (29-21). Panthers enter Week 10 with a 1-7 record after falling to the Indianapolis Colts, 27-13. Carolina has a 5-9 all-time record in games played on Thursday nights (US-time of course), for you stats gurus.
The Chicago Bears own a 2-7 record after falling on the road to the New Orleans Saints, 24-17. The Bears have an 0-2 record against the NFC South this season after their loss to the Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 (27-17). (Panthers.com)
Chicago contributed plenty in that loss to the New Orleans and if stand-in QB Tyson Bagent could have avoided throwing picks (three on the day) they’d have gone mighty close to downing a decent, mid-div NFL franchise in terms of current ability (though of course the Saints do head the NFC South).
A far better notion of their current standing is their Super Bowl price – presently 40/1. You can get 2000/1 about either of Thursday night/Friday morning’s gladiators lifting the Lombardi come February!
Regular Bears’ QB Justin Fields is thought unlikely to return (noted above as a limited practice participant), but a decision won’t be made until closer to kick-off.
This is a Carolina far removed from headier days of Cam Newton, and Christian McCaffrey. Panthers’ QB Bryce Young threw three interceptions of his own in their latest reverse, and after a promising start it’s not exactly panning out as many would have hoped.
Another peep into stats-central doesn’t make for convincing viewing – Bears stand 19th in yards-per-game offense, with Carolina even weaker, in 28th. On the other side of the ball though the Panthers are especially susceptible against the run (28th), but far, far better against the pass (4th). Bears’ principal running back D’Onta Foreman should therefore be licking his lips; and another rock-carrier Khalil Herbert, going well before injury, might be in line to return.
Right – you know from the above window what my selections are for this one. Sometimes it’s best to avoid having to make a decision about the eventual outcome if there are convincing, viable alternatives – which I firmly believe is the case here. If pressed I might just lean towards the Bears but I don’t have to – I’m playing both the first half and full match points, and given the defensive frailties on show two struggling offenses must be hoping that a corner can be turned somewhat.
In terms of points allowed per game so far this term it’s 31st-equal for Carolina, and 28th for Chicago. I’m therefore more than hopeful that a small total like 38.5 can be breached, and indeed its half-time equivalent, 19.5. Fingers crossed that it’s not too cold, or windy, for the skill players to impose themselves on what we can safely categorise as fairly shaky rearguards.
Insights – always a great source for NFL Betting tips