Panthers vs. Bears Betting Preview (Week 5)

By BetOnline October 3, 2024

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The Carolina Panthers secured a victory in Week 3, but they quickly returned to the loss column in Week 4 after a tough defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Now, Carolina heads into Week 5 as a road underdog against the Chicago Bears, who picked up a win at home last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, has shown improvement over the past two weeks, throwing all three of his passing touchdowns for the season during that span.

Can he hold off the veteran Andy Dalton, who has taken command of the Panthers’ starting quarterback job?

Here’s a breakdown of the latest game odds at BetOnline, key players to watch, and a prediction for this Week 5 matchup.

Panthers vs. Bears Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via BetOnline.ag Sportsbook

Spread:

Panthers +3.5 (-105)
Bears -3.5 (-115)
Moneyline:

Panthers: +165
Bears: -195
Total:
41.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Analysis

Chicago has been reliable against the spread when favored this season, going 2-0 in such situations. The Bears’ defense has been solid, ranking eighth in points allowed and 12th in yards per play allowed in 2024.

While Andy Dalton has helped the Panthers improve offensively, they still have one of the league’s worst defenses, allowing 5.8 yards per play and giving up a league-high 129 points through the first four weeks. This doesn’t bode well for Carolina against a Bears team that showed promise in the running game in Week 4.

Carolina Panthers’ Diontae Johnson: Since Andy Dalton took over at quarterback, Johnson has emerged as a key target, hauling in 15 catches on 27 targets with two touchdowns and 205 receiving yards.

With the Panthers potentially playing from behind, Johnson could be poised for another big game.

Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams: The rookie quarterback has thrown three touchdowns over the last two weeks and seems to be settling in, especially with the Bears’ running game coming to life in Week 4. Williams could have a standout day against a Panthers defense that is missing Shaq Thompson and has struggled this season.

With Caleb Williams improving each week and Chicago’s defense looking strong, the Bears should be able to take care of business at home