4 keys to victory for the Panthers vs. the Bears in Week 6
By Dean Jones
Slow down the running game
Even though the Chicago Bears lost their best dual-threat weapon out of the backfield through injury when Tarik Cohen went down, their running game can become a serious problem if it not addressed in the correct manner.
David Montgomery is a talented running back who has explosiveness and elusiveness in equal measure. He seems to be picking up a little steam after an indifferent start to the campaign and given the success other players at the position have had against the Carolina Panthers, he will see this as a real opportunity for a breakout game.
Another player that warrants some serious attention whenever he is lined up behind quarterback Nick Foles is Cordarrelle Patterson. The kick return specialist has been used more prominently since Cohen’s forced absence and if he gets space in the open field, the former Minnesota Viking can become a real problem.
The Panthers had problems trying to contain Todd Gurley at the Falcons last weekend, although it didn’t have an impact on the eventual result. Chicago’s defense promises to restrict them to fewer points than they gained in Atlanta, so if Montgomery and Patterson have their way with Carolina’s defense, it could be a long afternoon.
Preventing yards on the ground will also put the game in Foles’ hands, which seems to be the best way to go.