Bears vs. Panthers: 8 things to know heading into Week 5 game

The Chicago Bears (2-2) will battle the Carolina Panthers (1-3) in Week 5, where they'll be looking to extend their home and current win streaks.

The Bears are coming off a 24-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams (1-3), where the offense finally did its part. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams made strides and the run game finally found its groove with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. Meanwhile, the defense continued its dominant performance holding the Rams to just one touchdown and forced five field goal attempts, while holding an opponent to 21 points or fewer for the 10th straight game.

Here are eight things to know ahead of the Bears’ Week 5 game against the Panthers:

1. Bears have won their last 7 home games

Chicago has struggled on the road this season, losing to the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. But they've been perfect at home with wins over the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams. The Bears are currently riding a seven-game home winning streak dating back to last season, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. It's also the longest stretch since Chicago won 10 straight at home from 2005-06. It's also worth noting that this is the Bears' last home game (at Soldier Field) until Nov. 10. Chicago "hosts" the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, but the game will be held in London.

2. Bears have won last 3 games vs. Panthers

Chicago leads the all-time series with Carolina, 8-4, and they've dominated in the most recent meetings between these two clubs. The Bears have won the last three games against the Panthers dating back to 2017. Interestingly enough, the past two contests have been decided by one score, including last year when backup quarterback Tyson Bagent led Chicago to a 16-13 victory. The Bears will be looking to make it four in a row against the Panthers and build their first winning streak of the 2024 season.

3. Andy Dalton returns to Chicago

At the beginning of the season, this matchup was hyped as a battle of the most recent No. 1 pick quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and Bryce Young. But following a rough two games in his second season, Young was benched by Carolina in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, who spent the 2021 season with the Bears. The Panthers offense has thrived since Dalton took over in Week 3, averaging 30 points per game. But they haven't faced a defense like Chicago's yet. So there will be opportunities for this Bears defense to continue bringing the pressure and forcing opposing QBs -- both young and veterans -- into mistakes.

4. Caleb Williams continues to make progress

Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continues to show improvement with each passing week, and he had his best game against the Rams. The boxscore might not have been flashy -- completing 74% of his passes for 157 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers -- but he continues to show progress making reads and adjustments at the line. In fact, Williams' passer rating has also improved vastly from his first NFL start to now -- 55.7 (Week 1), 51.0 (Week 2), 80.8 (Week 3) and 106.6 (Week 4). It's that continued incremental progress -- in the midst of a struggling offensive line -- that gives fans encouragement that Williams is the guy.

5. Bears defense has been elite

The Bears defense has been dominant through the first month of the 2024 NFL season, where they rank in the top 10 of several categories. They're allowing 18.8 points per game (8th), 174.5 passing yards (8th), 295.5 total yards (10th), eight takeaways (3rd) and a 29.1% conversion on third down (5th). They also have the second best secondary in the league through four games, which has allowed just two passing touchdowns, ranks second in opposing passer rating (69.0) and is fourth in opposing completion percentage (61.5%). It'll be a test for a Panthers offense that's averaged 30 points per game with Dalton leading the charge. But he hasn't faced a defense like Chicago's this season.

6. Panthers run defense among worst in the NFL

Chicago's run game had its best production of the 2024 season in last week's win over the Rams, totaling 131 yards and two touchdowns thanks to solid outings by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. This week, they have a good opportunity to continue that production against a struggling Panthers run defense that ranks 29th in the NFL allowing 148.8 rushing yards per game. Swift is coming off his best outing with the Bears, where he fell just short of 100 rushing yards (93 yards, 5.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown. Johnson has also proven to be a solid between-the-tackles runner, especially in short yardage situations. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron should look to once again establish the run with Swift and Johnson to open things up for Caleb Williams in the downfield passing game.

7. DJ Moore vs. his former team, Round 2

The Bears acquired receiver DJ Moore from the Panthers in a trade for the No. 1 pick in 2023 (more on that below), and he had a career year in Chicago last season with 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. Now, Moore will square off against his former team for the second time in as many years -- although, this time, he's hoping for an even more productive outing. In last year's meeting against Carolina, Moore led the Bears with five receptions for 58 yards with Tyson Bagent filling in for an injured Justin Fields. With Moore and Caleb Williams starting to get on the same page, the veteran wideout could be in for a big day against the Panthers on Sunday.

8. 2025 NFL draft implications

Bears fans don't need a reminder how the Panthers gifted them with a wealth of weapons in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Carolina got Bryce Young, who was benched two games into Year 2, while Chicago landed a wealth of riches including quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver DJ Moore, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor -- and there's still more on the way! The Bears own the Panthers' second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which currently sits at No. 38 overall. Beating Carolina will go a long way in ensuring that second rounder is as high as possible.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Panthers: 8 things to know heading into Week 5 game