Friday, October 3, 2014

My prediction for Panthers-Bears Sunday



One thing that will be fun to see Sunday -- two of the strongest arms in the NFL. Chicago's Jay Cutler and Carolina's Cam Newton could both throw the ball through a brick wall. Well, that's an exaggeration, but they could throw it through a stucco wall. Cutler has two big -- and big-time -- receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Newton has rookie Kelvin Benjamin, who fits the same mold, as well as reliable tight end Greg Olsen. The ball will be in the air a lot.

But it's worth noting that the Panthers in the past have had terrible trouble playing against Chicago tailback Matt Forte. He has 166- and 205-yard rushing games against Carolina that both rank among the top 10 rushing performances ever for Carolina opponents. If Carolina can't stop Forte, it will be a very long Sunday.

-- I know the Panthers say they are sticking with defensive end Frank Alexander, who this past week trumped his four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy with a 10-game suspension for a second violation of the same policy. I would not stick with him. When a guy gets his second straight suspension and is going to miss the first 14 games of a season and it's not even injury-related -- you can't count on that guy.

-- If you're going to the game, it will be worth sticking around for the halftime show. Country star Kellie Pickler will be performing.

-- Get ready for the pink. The Panthers and Bears will wear all sorts of pink accessories for Sunday's game in honor of breast cancer awareness.

-- If Fozzy Whittaker ever looks healthy again -- and maybe it happens Sunday -- he could actually do the Panthers' running game a lot of good. Whittaker was one of the most impressive parts of August for Carolina. He runs hard enough that with a hole or two he could make something happen for a ground game that has been practically non-existent.

-- I am 3-1 so far picking the Panthers' result each week. Although this is the most winnable game left in the first half of the season for Carolina, the Panthers have too much to overcome at the moment. My prediction: Chicago 27, Carolina 17.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scott, have you ever shown up for work late? Maybe twice? I think you should be fired from the paper then. Frank Alexander is an NFL athlete, do you know what they do? They work out, they take protein and other substances to help maintain their weight. There are so many, it's challenging to keep up with them. So before being quick to cast judgement, look in the mirror, like you haven't done anything wrong at your job?

Anonymous said...

C'mon! Not you Scott!

Anonymous said...

Predicting the Panthers to lose 3 in a row? Is Sorenson ghost writing this column today?

Anonymous said...

The Panthers have too much to overcome? It's not like they are a bad football team, so what is it that they have to overcome? They just need stop being passive and play they know. The biggest problem is the O, they don't score enough points. No matter how good any team D is, if the O can't score.... Your gonna lose! Time to quit sleeping and WAKE UP PANTHERS!!!

Anonymous said...

Have you ever noticed that Scott makes a prediction solely based on the Panthers previous game...win or lose. My 3 year old can do that? Next week he'll pick them to win because the Panthers have figured out the run. Way to go Scott! You are brilliant!

Anonymous said...

50 point blow out ...

bears rip it up in the smelly litter box full of cat feces

go bears ..

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding?!? Showing up late compares to two major league/teams rules violations? Next time you get a job that the company pays you millions of $$$ to work at, try to break some of the company's rules and see how long you are around!! The second violation shows what he thinks of management and his teammates, it's time to stop making excuse and make these athletes accountable for their actions, cut him NOW!

Anonymous said...

Showing up late to work is not the same thing as being suspended twice for violating the same rule. I'm not going to argue that the life of an NFL player is challenging. I agree with that. However, when you break the same rule twice and it costs you 87.5% of the season! That's ridiculous!!