The one line I can't figure out this week

[Dr. Jack]

Why is Carolina only 3? I know the Bears but a whoopin on the Colts and Steve Smith is still out but I would have thought this line would have been like 6, 6.5.

I didn't play it mostly because I really don't understand why the line is so low so I must be missing something.

Thoughts?

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

You answered your own question...it is definitely because the bears went into what is thought of an elite team's stadium, and beat them handily...leaving some people to believe that the dominant Bears defence is "back". Chicago loses that game, and the line is near 6.

Love the Panthers, as I think the bears win was more of a case of the Colts injuries, and Mannings rustiness...

[hooks26]

i dont beleive the Panthers have ever won a home opener. I could be wrong, that and the BEARS looked awfull dominant on the defensive end why wouldnt they shut down the panthers offense. BEARS WIN EASY

[Chicago RED]

The -3 may just be set to induce more action on the Bears. Alot of the public looked at last Sundays game as Chicago beat big bad Indy. They did but not really. The Colts had a few key players out, they also were not even close to 100%.

So I just think the line is set to put the public on Chicago.

[Chicago RED]

Originally Posted by hooks26

i dont beleive the Panthers have ever won a home opener. I could be wrong, that and the BEARS looked awfull dominant on the defensive end why wouldnt they shut down the panthers offense. BEARS WIN EASY

I am a die hard Bears fan, but I just dont see them putting a stop to Carolinas passing game. Carolina is a team that will turn interceptions into scoring drives.

Being a Bears fan I hope I am wrong.

[rjb1816]

combo of the bears pounding the colts a super bowl contender and the fact that if the bears defense plays well again its going to be hard for the panthers to score. the chargers had a terrible gameplan for the panthers and really should have been more aggressive on defense

[Kramer]

Two teams that had the public yelling in disgust were the Bears and Panthers, both pulling off 9-point upsets against Super Bowl contenders.

How many malllers bet either team last week?
Was either victory that impressive?
Chicago took advantage of a shaky Peyton Manning, who looked like he was very uncomfortable playing on a repaired knee and without his All-Pro center.
The Panthers, meanwhile, upset a Chargers squad whose key players are all coming off injuries
Steve Smith's absence will mean more in this game than it did last week. Without Smith, the Panthers won't be able to stretch the field.
Chicago can actually get to the quarterback as opposed to San Diego. They rattled Manning enough
There aren't any real edges on paper, as these teams seem pretty even, so let's look at a few other things:
Matt Forte may have looked great, but Indianapolis' run defense is not much
I'm not saying Forte isn't talented; I would just remain a bit skeptical for now.

This is a good test for Forte and the offensive line, as the Panthers surrendered 4.1 yards per carry last week. That may not sound like an impressive number, but giving up just 4.1 YPC to LaDainian Tomlinson is pretty solid. I don't think the Bears' front will have as much luck opening lanes versus Carolina as they did against Indianapolis.

If Forte is held to modest gains, Kyle Orton will have to convert more third downs. Once Orton has to drop back into the pocket on obvious passing situations, he'll feel the pressure from Julius Peppers. I like Peppers and Carolina's other ends going against Chicago's pedestrian offensive tackles
I have more confidence in the Panthers' scoring attack than I did a week ago, as Jake Delhomme looks fully recovered from Tommy John surgery. That said, Delhomme will have a much tougher test going against the Bears than the Shawne Merriman-less Chargers (I know Merriman played, but he was so ineffective, I didn't see what the point was).

The Bears should do a good job limiting DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart; they yielded just 3.5 YPC to the Colts, so containing the Panthers should be a breeze compared to that.

Lovie Smith has always fared well in his second consecutive road game. I don't know what he does to get his team fired up, but the fact remains that the Bears are 5-1 against the spread under Smith in those situations.
The public likes the Bears, but the line moved from -3.5 to -3 to compensate
Panthers are 4-9 ATS as a favorite since 2006. Panthers are 15-25 ATS at home since 2003. Jake Delhomme is 9-18 ATS as a home favorite
Its Obvious if Panthers can beat AFC Chargers ,
they should be able to beat NFC Bears right ?
The - 3 line is because the Chargers had injuries and no Smith
And books know the poor Panthers record at home and fav ...
And we all know what usually happens in these if this team beat that team scenerio situations
Since the books lost last week ,
THE BOOKS ARE SAYING WE LOST LAST WEEK ,
YOU THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE CAROLINA , WE'LL TAKE THE BEARS
AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS
This may be a good dog play
Thus I'd side with thre Bears IMO

Carolina has Minny , Atl , Kc next so could be a breather alert game...
Chicago has Tampa and Philly next
at home...

[hooks26]

Originally Posted by Chicago RED

I am a die hard Bears fan, but I just dont see them putting a stop to Carolinas passing game. Carolina is a team that will turn interceptions into scoring drives.

Being a Bears fan I hope I am wrong.

I know Peyton was not 100% but colts have way more offensive weapons then the panthers i like the under the best dont think carolina will score a whole lot and the bears are the bears so who knows?