Bears predictions: Week 5 vs. Panthers

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ home game Sunday against the Panthers:

Rick Morrissey

Bears, 27-16: If the Bears lose to Andy Dalton and Carolina, they can just go ahead and move the franchise to Guam. This is supposed to be a new day with Caleb Williams, not a trip down bad memory lane with the "Red Rifle." This season: 3-1.

Rick Telander

Bears, 27-17: “The Red Rifle” has never beaten the Bears — which is fitting because when he played for the Bears in 2021 he had the worst quarterback rating (76.9) of his 14-year career. This Bears defense will remind him of those bad days. This season: 3-1.

Scoop Jackson

Bears, 27-24: Must-Win Part II. Carolina’s averaging 30 points and over 400 yards of total offense per game since Bryce Young got replaced. The Bears “D” should lessen that, just enough to get by. This season: 2-2.

Patrick Finley

Bears, 24-15: The Bears have lost to the Panthers just once since 2009 and have beaten the Panthers 72.7% of the time since their 1995 inception. That’s the best winning percentage the Bears boast against any active franchise. This season: 4-0.

Jason Lieser

Bears, 26-16: How bad are the Panthers? Let me count the ways. Through four games, they allowed the most points in the NFL, had the second-fewest sacks and gave up the fourth-most yards rushing. And they aren't much better than that offensively. This season: 3-1.

Mark Potash

Bears, 31-17: Williams and Shane Waldron making progress and the Panthers struggling to stop the run (167.8 yards per game) or pass (214.5), the Bears are set up for a convincing — if deceiving — performance at Soldier Field. This season: 3-1.