Where: Soldier Field, Chicago (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Bears by 7.5
Forecast: Cloudy, mid-40s
Records: Bears (5-1, 1-1 in NFC North); Panthers (1-5, 1-2 in NFC South)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 2, 2011: Bears 34, Panthers 29; Oct. 10, 2010: Bears 23, Panthers 6. Series record: Bears hold 4-3 lead.
What matters: The Bears carry a four-game winning streak into a game against the team coached by their old defensive coordinator (2004-06), Ron Rivera. They look to take a 1 1/2-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings (5-3) in the NFC North. The four-game winning streak has been entirely in games dictated by the Bears, as they haven't trailed since their Week 2 23-10 loss at Green Bay. Only the Lions, with a late fourth-quarter TD, pulled within a score of winning during this stretch. The defense has forced a league-best 21 turnovers, 19 in their five wins and two in their loss. They've given up 8.5 points per game in the winning streak. Carolina came into Chicago last year a similar long shot situation and the Bears needed to recover an onside kick to hang on for the win after allowing QB Cam Newton and the Panthers offense 543 yards.
Who matters: QB Jay Cutler's ability to follow through on passes will be closely watched, as will the line's ability to protect him, due to the bruised ribs he suffered on a sack by Detroit's Ndamukong Suh. Cutler enters the game with 10 victories in his last 11 starts, but suffered five sacks last week after being sacked just five times the previous three games combined. ... RB Matt Forte has a history of playing well against Carolina, with a career-best 205 yards rushing last year and has 463 yards in three games (6.6 yards per carry). He'll be running against a Panthers defense that just lost one of its best run stoppers for the season, LB John Beason (Achilles). ... DE Julius Peppers goes against his old team, one of the few teams he hasn't had a sack against. Peppers had an INT against the Panthers in his first game against them in 2010. ... DE Israel Idonije, along with Peppers, will be entrusted with keeping Newton from getting outside the pocket to throw, or run the read-option series from the shotgun. Idonije has 3 1/2 sacks this year, and 3 1/2 career sacks against Carolina.
Key matchups: Bears CB Tim Jennings on Panthers WR Steve Smith. Smith has torn the Bears apart in four games with 38 catches for 665 yards. Jennings owns the NFL lead in interceptions with four, but will probably not be matched up on Smith all over the field the way Charles Tillman was with Detroit's Calvin Johnson. The Bears seem more likely to zone Smith, using both corners on him all over the field with safety help. ... Bears LB Brian Urlacher on Panthers TE Greg Olsen. The Panthers are sure to try and test Urlacher's rehabbed knee downfield with the former Bears TE, who plays a bit like a wide receiver. Olsen remains a viable option for Newton in the passing game with 26 catches for 324 yards. Urlacher showed better range last week against Detroit with two weeks off, although his lateral movement still is in question. ... Bears DT Henry Melton on Panthers LG Amini Silatolu. The size difference -- Silatolu is about 20 pounds heavier at 315 -- shouldn't be a big factor due to Melton's quickness. Melton is a key player here in stopping the read-option run of Cam Newton. The three-technique's goal is to penetrate and cause havoc to prevent Newton, Jonathan Stewart or DeAngelo Williams from doing damage with the run. Melton can be a key factor in tackles for loss. ... Bears LG Chilo Rachal on Panthers DT Ron Edwards. At 6-3, 325, Edwards is a hunker-down style DT who is in his 12th NFL year and Rachal is a physical guard who is effective going mobile with his blocking and pulling. Edwards would appear to be little threat as a pass rusher, but Rachal's ability to handle him in the run game will go a long way toward springing Matt Forte.
Injuries of note: Cutler's rib injury is not expected to be a factor, but if he gets hit in the rib cage everything could change. ... WR Alshon Jeffery will miss the game with a hand fracture.
Inside stuff: In theory, the Bears' gap-control defense would appear a good way to stop the read-option that Newton uses with either RB. With D-linemen in gaps coming up the field, there could be little time to read for Newton. He'll have to make quicker decisions and that's when he has struggled. ... TE Matt Spaeth has been one of the most effective Bears run blockers and seals off the edge. Look for the Bears to try to take advantage of this and get Forte to the outside.
Connections: Peppers is the all-time Panthers sacks leader. ... Besides Rivera, the Panthers have a number of Bears coaches from the Lovie Smith era, including former O-line coach Pete Hoener, D-line coach Eric Washington and DBs coach Steve Wilks. Panthers TE Greg Olsen returns to face the team that drafted him.
Stat you should know: The Bears have won five of their last six games following a Monday night contest, including the last four. ... The Bears rank third at possessing the football with an average time of possession of 33:06. Carolina, meanwhile, has had trouble extending drives and is next to last in the league (26:09 per game).
Record watch: Devin Hester remains one behind Deion Sanders for the most combined TD returns (INT-fumble-kick-punt) in NFL history, and his number of opportunities could be limited because he's getting more snaps with the offense and being replaced at times by Eric Weems or Earl Bennett as the return man.
Looking ahead: The Bears travel to Nashville to face the Titans in their third game against an AFC South team.
Prediction: Bears 31, Panthers 21
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.
