Bears vs. Panthers: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 5 matchup

The Chicago Bears (2-2) will look to get above .500 on the season when they welcome the Carolina Panthers (1-3) to Soldier Field on Sunday. Both teams will be linked for the foreseeable future for their 2023 trade that saw Bryce Young head to Carolina, while wide receiver DJ Moore, along with a group of picks that included Caleb Williams, Tyrique Stevenson, Darnell Wright, and Tory Taylor, plus a 2025 second-round pick, came to Chicago.

On paper, the Panthers are still searching for answers about their future as Young was benched after Week 2, with veteran and former Chicago Bear Andy Dalton replacing him at quarterback. The Bears are slowly starting to show glimpses of their potential with Williams at the helm, but it hasn't come without frustration. After defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, the Bears will look to win their eighth consecutive game at home as they battle the Panthers on Sunday.

Here are reasons for fans to be optimistic heading into Chicago's Week 5 matchup against Carolina:

1. D'Andre Swift's revival

There's no secret that it felt like a load of stress off the offense, and fans alike, when running back D'Andre Swift finally had his breakout game in the win over the Rams. The big free-agent splash signing for Chicago struggled to do anything of value in the first three weeks, but exploded in Week 4.

Becoming the first Bears running back since 2015 to have over 70+ yards rushing and 70+ yards receiving, Swift proved what he can provide as both a runner and receiver. The checkdown passes were key for getting Caleb Williams into a rhythm and a great safety valve when under pressure.

If Swift can build off his Week 4 performance -- and against the 29th-ranked run defense -- there's no telling what limits the run game and the offense has as a whole. The more weapons that start to step up, the more it could lead to consistency for Williams in his rookie season.

2. Caleb Williams is finding his groove

Growth and development. Those have been the key words for Williams through his first four games of his NFL career. There are going to be the relentless comparisons to Jayden Daniels who went second overall to the Washington Commanders this year and is off to a historic start for a rookie quarterback, but the long-term development is what matters most.

The Bears have shown to have a formidable defense that can carry them to victory, but taking the pressure off of them would be key for long-term success this season. That can happen if Williams continues to show growth in his game as he did in Week 4 compared to the first three weeks.

After throwing the ball 52 times for 363 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Williams was dialed back in his attempts throwing it just 23 times against the Rams for 157 yards and a touchdown. The biggest key of Williams growth was this was a game where he took care of the football and didn't throw an interception after throwing two each in back-to-back weeks. His completion percentage has increased each and every week as the season progresses, and in the win against the Rams, he had a quarterback rating of 106.6, greatly surpassing his previous three games. Williams may not be stealing the spotlight like Daniels, but at the end of it all, wins is what matters most, and playing mistake free football at the quarterback position greatly improves the Bears' immediate and future success.

3. They're still the Carolina Panthers

This is one of those hot takes that, in the event of a Bears loss, could be mocked, but it's a risk worth taking. There is this built-in narrative of how much better the Panthers are with Dalton as their starting quarterback compared to Young and that might be true, for now. There's a reason why Dalton has bounced around since leaving Cincinnati and it's because he's a great veteran presence in the locker room, great insurance to have as a backup, but he's not a long-term starter anymore.

The Bears defense has made a living off their takeaways so far this season, and there's no reason to believe they won't get after Dalton and the Panthers offense looking to add to their season total (8) in Week 5. That same defense has not allowed more than 21 points in the last 10 games dating back to last year, and the Panthers don't seem to pose a serious threat to ending that streak.

On paper and in the eye test, this should be a big opportunity for the Bears to grow on their success of Week 4, get their offense more in sync, and beat an opponent they're supposed to. It could also be a trap game or one where they underwhelm as a team, but, that would signal one step forward and five steps back from last week and all but be considered a disaster. The Bears have to go win this game and do so emphatically if they want to be taken seriously in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Panthers: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 5 matchup