The Chicago Bears dropped another winnable game in New Orleans. Despite being close for 60 minutes, the Saints had five turnovers and eight penalties. Unfortunately, the team does not have much time to evaluate the events. The Bruins have four days to turn it around and play their second Thursday Night Football game. This time it will be played at Soldier Field against the Carolina Panthers. While this is hardly the best match everyone was hoping for, it’s still a game that carries a lot of weight.
The Bruins are currently 2-7 and the Panthers are 1-7. Both teams have top-5 draft picks, but Chicago dominates both. A win over Carolina moves them to 1-8, a league-worst record tied with the Arizona Cardinals. A tie should give the Bears back control at No. 1. Not only is Justin Fields unlikely to return Thursday, but there will be more injury news in the second half. Panthers star pitcher Brian Burns will miss Sunday’s game against Indianapolis with a concussion, according to multiple reports.
He most likely won’t be in the game. “The Panthers lost a pair of key defensive players in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Colts, and there’s a good chance they’ll be without both on Thursday night against the Bruins.
Edge rusher Brian Burns and cornerback C.J. Both Henderson suffered concussions against Indianapolis. Head coach Frank Reich acknowledged after the game that the steps both players must take to pass the league’s concussion protocol will make it difficult for either player to play this week.
The Chicago Bears not matching Burns is a giant break. He is the best player in Carolina. Without him, their pass rush can be called inadequate at best. Most of that came from Frankie Luvu’s blitz and Derrick Brown’s interior. Veteran Justin Houston and Yetur Gross-Matos didn’t do much. Remember, Carolina is 29th in the league against the run. The only reason they have been in games is because of their strong pass defense. Losing Burns is a big blow to that. If D’Onta Foreman gets going, it could be a strong night for the offense.
This is a game the Chicago Bears cannot and should not lose. It’s the only thing left on their schedule that matters. They won’t make the playoffs. Their only hope is to do their part to keep Carolina in contention for that top spot next April. The fields are motivated. He has eight more games to save his job. Ditto Matt Eberflus. Both desperately need a win. If they can’t beat such a poor opponent without their best player at home? It would be the last insult to an already lost season.
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