Why Dan picked the Bears: I’ve already planted my flag with the Bears, particularly Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson heading into their follow-up to an exhilarating first year together. I’m not going to back down now that Week 1 is finally here.
My pick is largely tied to belief in Johnson’s offense and my continued skepticism about a Bryce Young-led attack being able to score enough to consistently win. Yes, there’s been a lot of hand-wringing about whether the Bears truly have upgraded their defense, which allowed the fourth-most yards in the league last season and made taking the ball away its signature — a risky way of doing business from year to year. I’m not sure the Panthers are prepared to fully take advantage of Chicago’s weakness, with questions of their own at offensive tackle.
Now, Carolina spent big on defense this offseason with the signings of LB Devin Lloyd and OLB Jaelan Phillips. If Ejiro Evero’s crew comes out guns blazing and never lets Williams settle in, things could easily swing in the home team’s favor. Unfortunately, the Panthers will be without the player who was supposed to be Phillips’ top running mate off the edge, as Carolina’s sacks co-leader from last season, Nic Scourton, is out for the season with an ACL tear.
If the game does turn into a shootout — a distinct possibility I’m leaning toward — I like the Bears’ chances a bit better.