The Carolina Panthers famously traded up with the Chicago Bears to secure the top pick in last year’s draft to select Bryce Young, and part of the exchange included sending star WR DJ Moore to the Windy City. This will be Moore’s first time playing against his former team, giving us a revenge game to make a boring matchup at least slightly more interesting.
This is not the best contest, but it’s the only NFL game on tonight, which means we will be betting on it. Let’s dive into the Panthers vs. Bears betting lines, predictions, and player props from the PFN betting team.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears Betting Lines
This is the first time since their 38-20 Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers that the Bears are favored. Yes, the 2-7 Bears are giving more than a field goal — the Panthers are that bad. This also marks the second week in a row in which the total for the Thursday Night Football game is below 40 points.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless stated otherwise.
- Spread
Bears -3.5 - Moneyline
Panthers +140, Bears -166 - Over/Under
38.5
Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears Predictions
Bearman: This week starts with a prime-time matchup of teams with a combined three wins and 21 losses. Even without Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent starting, the Bears are better than the Panthers.
In all, I don’t like this game, but with the move down to three from four, there is a little value on the Bears here. I am also tempted by the Panthers’ team total under (17.5) but I don’t trust Chicago’s defense.
Pick: Bears -3 (-118 at FanDuel)
Blewis: This is a pretty simple under play for me. By now, you have probably heard that unders are 22-7 in prime time this season, although four of those losses have come on Thursday Night Football, including the Bears vs. Commanders in Week 5.
When Bryce Young has been the starter this season, unders have gone 5-2 in Panthers games. The under lost in games against the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins — two teams with considerably better offenses than the Bears, to say the least.
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This matchup also features two teams that rarely force turnovers — Bears 24th and Panthers 31st in takeaways — which certainly gives you more confidence in taking the under on a low total. I locked in the under before Justin Fields was ruled out.
Pick: Under 39 (-112 at DraftKings)
Soppe: Do you know who the best per-carry rush defense is in the NFL?
If you’re like me, you probably cycled through at least a handful of guesses before even considering the NFC North, and even when you got to the division, the Bears may not have been your first (or second) guess!
They do, however, pace the league through nine weeks, allowing a mere 3.3 yards per carry. On the Panthers side of the rushing equation, new play-caller Thomas Brown has made a clear commitment to Chuba Hubbard as his guy. The third-year pro has a 91-30 edge in snaps over Miles Sanders since Brown took over, and we have seen nothing to indicate that a change in role is coming any time soon.
For the season, Sanders is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. For the purposes of his leg in this same game parlay, it might be more noteworthy that Sanders was targeted on five of his 11 routes run last week. Is he just an expensive third-down back now?
The fact that the question can be asked tells you all you need to know about his fantasy football stock, as well as his rushing equity in this spot against a better-than-you-think rush defense.
Pick: Miles Sanders under 21.5 rushing yards (-115 at DraftKings)
Katz: Surprisingly, the Bears haven’t been terrible at defending WRs. They’re only allowing 146 yards per game to the position, the 12th-fewest in the league. But it’s really a tale of two defenses. They’ve blanketed outside receivers, while getting torched by the slot.
This week, the Panthers are without DJ Chark. That means Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall will be forced to line up on the outside in two-receiver sets. I’m not sure about Mingo yet, but we know Marshall can’t play. Meanwhile, who is the Panthers’ primary slot receiver? Adam Thielen.
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Look for a heavy dose of Thielen in this one, especially with the Panthers likely opting to give Bryce Young short, easy throws to boost his confidence after throwing two touchdowns to the wrong team last week. We’ve got two correlated plays on this one. I am taking them straight, but I wouldn’t mind SGPing them.
Picks: Terrace Marshall under 28.5 receiving yards (-120 at DraftKings), Adam Thielen over 6.5 receptions (-105 at DraftKings)
Broyles: Chuba Hubbard has been one of the few bright spots for the Panthers this season. Presumed starter Miles Sanders has predictably fallen victim to injuries, and Hubbard has stepped up as the more explosive, consistent back. The only way for Carolina to have a chance in this one is to take pressure off their rookie QB. Look for the Panthers to ride Hubbard in this one.
Pick: Chuba Hubbard over 40.5 rushing yards (-114 at FanDuel)
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