Bears (4-1) at Panthers (3-2)
1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 42.2 | Spread: CAR -1.5 (44.5)
What to watch for: This game is all about pressure. Can the Panthers, who have not allowed a sack in two straight games, keep quarterback Teddy Bridgewater clean against Chicago's Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack, who have 3.5 sacks each? And can the Panthers muster a pass rush with defensive end Brian Burns (concussion) doubtful and tackle Kawann Short out for the season with a shoulder injury? -- David Newton
Bold prediction: Bears rookie tight end Cole Kmet will catch at least five passes and one touchdown. Chicago's second-round pick (No. 43 overall) out of Notre Dame, Kmet has one reception for 12 yards though five games. Quarterback Nick Foles attempted 42 passes in Week 5, but Kmet finished the game with zero targets and played 21 of 63 offensive snaps. That has to change. The Bears have too much invested in Kmet for him to be a bystander, so look for Foles to target the rookie early and somewhat often on Sunday. -- Jeff Dickerson
Stat to know: Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson has three 100-yard receiving games through five games this season. He had three such games all of last season with the Jets.
What to know for fantasy: Carolina running back Mike Davis has a 15-yard rush, a 10-yard reception and at least five receptions in three straight games. Christian McCaffrey did not have such a streak last season. See Week 6 rankings.
Betting nugget: Carolina is 3-0 both straight up and ATS in its past three games. Read more.
Dickerson's pick: Panthers 17, Bears 16
Newton's pick: Panthers 24, Bears 20
FPI prediction: CAR, 54.3% (by an average of 1.5 points)
Matchup must-reads: Bears stun Brady ... McCaffrey doesn't have to rush back for Panthers ... Can Foles shed relief pitcher rep? ... Panthers' Short to have season-ending shoulder surgery ... How COVID-19 put everything on the line for Panthers' Reed