Chicago at Carolina

This is a big year for Ron Rivera. The progress of the Carolina Panthers is going to have to move forward, or he is going to find his job in jeopardy. The Panthers have not reached the .500 mark under his tenure, and if he wants to stay he had better get them in the playoffs this season. He has some reason to get off quickly at home in this one to keep the fans and media at bay, showing that the prospects for this season are bright. Chicago opened last season at 7-1, and injuries did them in during the second half of the season. They ultimately finished 10-6 and did not make the playoffs. I'm that sure those injuries will be on the minds of the coaching staff here, and I don't think we are going to see anything that is going to put key players in jeopardy in this contest. Chicago beat Carolina by 1 point last year at home in the regular season, and I think Rivera knows that the fans and media will be using that game as a measuring stick for improvement. I would not be surprised if he plays to win here. Play on Carolina.