Bears vs. Panthers: 3 keys for Chicago's defense in Week 5

The Chicago Bears (2-2) are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Soldier Field in Week 5, and the Bears are on the rise at just the right time. They overcame much adversity, both in terms of harsh criticism and mechanical failings of the team, and took down the Los Angeles Rams (1-3) in Week 4, rerouting the trajectory of their season and getting to a stable 2-2 record.

Looking at Week 5 and beyond, Chicago’s chances to really do some damage has never seemed more promising, with the team playing the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) the next two weeks before easing into the bye week. A tantalizing 4-2 record before the bye is within reach, but the Bears can’t just overlook the opponent in front of them.

The Panthers have begun to claw their way out of their early season failings, starting veteran quarterback Andy Dalton over 2023 first round pick Bryce Young, who’s shown little improvement in his sophomore year. For a broader view, however, it’s speculated they will be back to square one in the rebuilding process following 2024. The Bears, meanwhile, have no intention of throwing the season, and are keen on competing for a playoff spot in late December.

Chicago's defense has circled back to the team’s roots and has once again been the heartbeat of the team, and their prowess is the reason the Bears have stayed afloat thus far. On paper, the defense should put the clamps on a mediocre Carolina offense, but that talent has to be shown on the field.

With that being said, let’s break down the three keys for Chicago’s defense in Week 5.

1. Pressure QB Andy Dalton

Dalton has been ushered in as the Panthers’ starting quarterback after it became clear that the Bryce Young experiment had failed, and the 13-year pro is now tasked with somehow stitching together the team’s wounds and keep them competitive in the latter half of the year. Wins are of the utmost importance in reaching that goal; unfortunately, Dalton has the displeasure of facing the Bears in Week 5, who have completely erased the impact of quarterbacks in previous games. Still, Dalton is a savvy vet who’s continued to find success even in his later years, and his Week 3 victory over the Raiders in his first start with Carolina only accentuates that sentiment.

The signal-caller could be trouble for Chicago if they aren’t able to get in his face, so pushing the pocket and getting Dalton off his platform is crucial for the defense. Star pass-rusher Montez Sweat had his best game of the year last week, ripping through two offensive lineman and getting a strip-sack on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Game-changing pressures such as that has the potential of putting the Bears up on the scoreboard early, but consistently getting in the backfield is just as important. Standout defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is expected to maintain his high level of play and cause some havoc in the pocket, with fellow defensive tackle Andrew Billings and defensive ends DeMarcus Walker and Austin Booker contributing to that goal as well.

The Panthers have had a respectable pass game with Dalton in the mix, so pressuring him will be crucial in a Bears victory.

2. Limit RB Chuba Hubbard

There’s no denying that Carolina is in dire straits at this point in time, but their abysmal play is not brought about by a lack of talent. They have a good offensive line that’s complemented by receivers such as Dionte Johnson and skilled rookie Xavier Legette, and they have an underrated stud of a running back in Chuba Hubbard, who had over 100 yards rushing in his last two games. Hubbard could prove to be a perpetual thorn in the Bears’ side this Sunday, as stopping the run has been something the defense has struggled with. A strong run game is a powerful tool to have for a football team, however, so Chicago will have to refocus themselves and get a lid on Hubbard and the rushing attack.

The Bears tend to be stout at the point of attack early in games, but they get worn down as things progress. Their depleted endurance can be chalked up to their offensive counterpart falling flat on its face for the first three games, but that’s something they can’t control. When faced with an opposing team’s offensive unit, locking in on their running back should be a priority. Chicago will be better equipped to take care of business in Week 5 if Hubbard isn’t able to have his way in the rushing department.

3. Take advantage of turnover opportunities

Dropped interceptions and unrecovered fumbles was at one time a major flaw of past Bears’ defenses, but they’ve rectified those previous failings this year. The Bears have forced an impressive 11 turnovers in just four games, enforcing head coach Matt Eberflus’s “HITS” defensive philosophy – an acronym meaning hustle, intensity, takeaways and smart play – by constantly ripping at the ball and aggressively making a play on passes. The defense has made it known that they want to be considered one of the best defenses in the league this year, and they’ll have to demonstrate their knack for taking the ball away this Sunday as they continue to build their reputation.

Carolina won’t present the defense with many chances at flipping the field – they only have one turnover in the last two games. The caveat to their clean play is they’ve only played a top 10 defense once in their first four games, and that was against the Chargers in Week 2, with Young shackling the offense still. The new Dalton-led offense hasn’t encountered a defense as suffocating as Chicago’s, and they could force them to make turnover-worthy mistakes.

The Bears are capable of defeating the Panthers without them giving away the ball, but a takeaway or two would really give the home team the upper hand in Week 5.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Panthers: 3 keys for Chicago's defense in Week 5