Bears facing win-win scenario Beat Carolina and boost odds at No. 1 overall draft pick

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Bears facing win-win scenario Beat Carolina and boost odds at No. 1 overall draft pick

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears are facing a win-win scenario. Beat the Carolina Panthers and they boost their chances at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.It's an unusual spot to be in, yet that's where the Bears find themselves heading into their matchup at Soldier Field on Thursday night. If they come out on top, it would be a win on two fronts.That's because Chicago (2-7) owns Carolina's first-round draft pick next year. ADVERTISEMENT Im just trying to get to 3-7, Bears Tim Tebow Jersey guard Teven Jenkins said. Thats the only thing Im worried about, sir.The Bears had the No. 1 pick in the draft last spring after finishing with the league's worst record. They traded it to Carolina for receiver DJ Moore.Chicago is in the running for the top spot with its own first-round pick. But another route at the moment is through Carolina (1-7). Only Arizona (1-8) has a worse record.Panthers coach Frank Reich said he hadn't considered the potential draft implications and the potential to play a sort of spoiler.Interesting question, he said. I gue s this is good, but I hadnt even thought about that. This is just about tryin to win the next football game. One of the things I said to the guys today sometimes when you get in this position, you look back and you wanna change some things that have happened. You wish, somehow, that you can double down. "Hey, lets put it all in this one game. Lets double down on everything. Get it all back! But thats not real life. Thats not real life in the NFL. Thats not real life, period. You gotta take em one at a time.Both teams have more immediate concerns. And for both, they involve the quarterback spot.For Chicago, quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful because of a dislocated right thumb. That means rookie Tyson Bagent likely will start his fourth straight game.Hes getting better, though, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of Fields. Accuracys improving. Hes throwing it better. And hes starting to do more and more and more.So well see it Wilmer Flores Jersey where it goes."Fields hasnt played since dislocating his right thumb during a . The Bears are 1-2 with Bagent an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia as their starter after losing last week at New Orleans.For Carolina, rookie Bryce Young looks to rebound from his worst game as a pro in last week's lo s to Indianapolis.MOORE OF THATThe most recent time the Bears played on a Thursday night, Moore had the best game of his career.He went off in a Week 5 win at Washington, setting career highs with 230 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, he hasn't had more than 55 yards in a game.Moore will be facing his former team for the first time since a blockbuster trade in March. The Bears sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina and moved back eight spots in this year's draft. They also acquired the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick.Moore could be in for another big game Travis D'Arnaud Jersey in prime time. Carolina's secondary is banged up with Jaycee Horn (hamstring/IR) and C.J. Henderson (concu sion) out this week.DEFENSIVE INJURIESCarolinas defense has been plagued by injuries all season and it enters Thursday night even thinner on the depth chart after several more on Sunday.Outside linebacker Brian Burns will not play after suffering a concu sion against Indianapolis. That position has also been depleted by injuries with Justin Houston and Yetur Gro s-Matos already on injured reserve.That leaves the Panthers young at outside linebacker as second-year player Amare Barno and rookies DJ Johnson and Eku Leota are left to handle the reps.Carolinas secondary is likely to be without starting cornerback C.J. Henderson, who like Burns remains in the concu sion protocol. Starting cornerback Jaycee Horn has been on injured reserve since Week 1 and is not Keith Hernandez Jersey quite ready to return.YOUNGS STRUGGLESYoung, the No. 1 pick in the draft, has one of the worst QB ratings in the NFL. He is coming off a game where he threw three interceptions two of which were returned for touchdowns by Colts cornerback Kenny Moore against the leagues 32nd-ranked defense.Despite Youngs struggles, Reich said he is sticking with him as the starter.Ive seen this happen to the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, Reich said. They all have games like this. Sure, its easy to put it on the quarterback, but you bounce back. Thats what makes the great ones.LACK OF SACKSChicago comes in with a league-low 10 sacks. Maybe this is the week to get the pa s rush going.The Bears acquired Montez Sweat from Washington at the trade deadline to do just that. He didn't have much of an impact at New Orleans with just two tackles in his Chicago debut. But he should be a little more comfortable this week.Carolina has allowed 29 sacks tied with Tenne see for fifth most in the NFL. Only the New York Giants (49), Washington (44), New York Jets (32) and Bears (30) have given up more.THIELEN FACES FAMILIAR FOEThe Panthers' most productive player this season has been 33-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has 62 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns for one of the leagues worst offenses.Thielen has plenty of experience playing against the Chicago Bears having spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Yoenis Cespedes Jersey Vikings, but hasn't had much succe s against them. Hes never had more than 68 yards receiving in game against Chicago.___AP freelance writer Gene Chamberlain contributed to this report.___AP NFL:
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