Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Week Five

By Sports Magician

The Chicago Bears can overcome the absence of quarterback Jay Cutler to move to 4-1 with a win on the road against the Carolina Panthers. Cutler was knocked senseless last Sunday as the New York Giants pass rush proved far too hot for the Bears offensive line to handle. Cutler didn’t help matters by holding on to the ball too long and couldn’t make it out for the second half after suffering a concussion late in the first half. His replacement – Todd Collins – was also knocked out of the game late, but is fit enough to make the start and has the experience to know he’ll have to get rid of the ball far more readily than Cutler was prepared to do. Julius Peppers returns to Carolina in the major sub-plot of the game and will be relishing the opportunity to get to Panthers rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

I was never a fan of Clausen in college and he will struggle mightily against the Bears defense, anchored by Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. The Panthers have the youngest roster in the league this season and that inexperience has already been shown up a number of times during their early season struggles. The Bears have gone from favourites to underdogs off the back of Cutler’s confirmed absence, but I see no reason why they won’t grind out a win against a team that will be without star wide receiver Steve Smith. The Panthers will attempt to rely heavily on the run game with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart – but the Bears are tough to run on and will be happy to dare Clausen into making plays.

WEEK FIVE SELECTION:

PICK: 3*(MONEY LINE) CHICAGO BEARS BEAT CAROLINA PANTHERS @ 2.35 (WILLIAM HILL)

Sports Magician