Carolina at Chicago

Carolina had that big win at New England but they are still just 2-2 the last four games, losing 34-13 to the Saints as a favorite and come off a 28-23 loss at home to the Eagles as three-point chalk. Defense is the chief culprit, allowing 34, 30, 24 and 28 the last four games. QB Cam Newton (nine TDs, eight INTs) threw three interceptions the last game and running backs Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey and Fozzy Whittaker were limited to one yard on 13 carries. On defense, Panthers star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was placed into concussion protocol. Stewart, their leading rusher, is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry on the season. The Panthers are 3-9 ATS after getting fewer than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. They are also 19-9 OVER the total on the road, plus 21-10-1 OVER against the NFC. Chicago is sixth in the NFL defensively in total yards allowed, #15 against the run, and eighth against the pass. Rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky is playing well, and they have good balance with RBs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. This team is playing hard, off a 27-24 win at Baltimore as a +5.5 dog. They've also beaten the Steelers as a +7 dog and came so close to beating the Falcons as a big dog. The Bears are on a 9-4 spread run, including 7-1 ATS at home. Take Chicago and the OVER.