Bears vs. Panthers: Going behind enemy lines to preview Week 5 matchup

The Chicago Bears (2-2) will face the Carolina Panthers (1-3) on Sunday, where Chicago is looking to stack back-to-back wins and get back to a winning record.

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.

Before the game, we caught up with managing editor Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire to get the scoop on the Bears’ Week 5 opponent.

Here are five questions with Panthers Wire:

1. Do you think Bryce Young still has a future in Carolina?

Anthony Rizzuti: I would be surprised if the organization is completely through with Young. For one, it's still a bit early to be out on a player who cost you two first-round picks, two second-round picks and one of the best wide receivers in the game. (Hi, DJ.) Although Young had an underwhelming rookie campaign and then regressed at the start of his second, giving just 18 starts to the prospect who much of the league pegged as the top quarterback of last year's draft isn't enough. Plus, where else can the Panthers really find a long-term solution under center right now? Worthwhile quarterbacks rarely hit free agency anymore and the 2025 class feels rather light. The Panthers may be wise to just let Bryce bake on the bench a bit and give him another go at some point before making another drastic decision on him.

2. Ever since Andy Dalton took over at QB, this offense has been rolling. What’s been the difference with Dalton?

Rizzuti: This may sound somewhat cliché or perhaps too football-y, but Dalton's veteran presence is the major difference. Unlike in his disappointing 2023 season, Young had been given some capable playmakers and a rock-solid offensive line here in 2024. That wasn't completely obvious until Dalton not only took over, but also took advantage of that personnel—passing for 539 yards and five touchdowns in his first two starts. Where Young was overwhelmed and uncertain, Dalton is in control and confident. Instead of being limited to a dysfunctional dink-and-dunk approach with a struggling youngster, the offense has opened up entirely new dimensions under a cocksure vet.

3. Chuba Hubbard is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. What’s been the key to his success?

Rizzuti: Well, one of those aforementioned dimensions that opened up was the ground game—where Hubbard has dominated. The fourth-year back, over Dalton's two outings, rushed for a total of 218 yards and a touchdown while reeling in nine passes for 72 more yards. One of the keys to his success has been Carolina's hog mollies. The reworked interior of the offensive line—featuring left guard Damien Lewis, right guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett—has been paving the way for the run, just as head coach Dave Canales envisioned for his unit. Hubbard, of course, deserves some major props as well. He has taken clear strides as an all-around back—displaying progress as a rusher, a pass catcher and a blocker.

4. Where is this Panthers defense most vulnerable?

Rizzuti: Right up the middle. The group had issues against the run last year, even when they had Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown posting a historically-productive campaign. But they don't have him anymore, thanks to a season-ending knee injury he sustained in Week 1. Carolina is also without their two starting inside linebackers Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell. Thompson is done for the year with a torn Achilles tendon and Jewell is expected to miss some time with hamstring and groin injuries. So if the Panthers had problems stopping ground games with those guys, imagine how rough it'll be now.

5. Who wins and why?

Rizzuti: Given Carolina's offensive rejuvenation, this one could be a bit closer than some may think. But it's the other side of the ball that should prove to be the difference. Not only is the Bears defense more talented and proven, but it's also not missing about half of its opening-day starters. A bruised and often-battered Panthers defense simply cannot be trusted to come up with enough stops at the moment. Chicago takes it, 27-21.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Panthers: Going behind enemy lines to preview Week 5 matchup