NFL Preview: Chicago Bears face Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium live on Sky Sports

It looks an extremely even match-up on the cards in Charlotte on Sunday as the Bears travel to the Panthers in our first live Sky Sports game.

Both Chicago and Charlotte sit on an even 2-2 after suffering big defeats last time out to Green Bay and Baltimore respectively, so both will want a win to get back on track.

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Carolina have lost their last two so a bright start has turned sour so far for them, while the Bears went coast-to-coast for impressive successive wins at the 49ers and Jets so being on the road will not worry them in the slightest.

Two defeats at Soldier Field though illustrate that the Bears are also inconsistent, something you can also level at the Panthers, who have especially struggled in the last two games and need a big pick-me-up.

Can Cam cut loose?

Panthers QB Cam Newton missed the first game of the season and has been limited in the next three by both ankle and rib injuries. The ankle he had surgery on in the summer is still giving him the most pain, and as yet he’s not been anywhere near his usual self – with Carolina opting to limit him to just eight runs in three games.

His 33 yards represent a huge drop from his 43-yard average he’s amassed during his first three seasons in the NFL. The limited mobility of Newton also means the team can’t really run a convincing read-option play. Coach Ron Rivera says Newton will be monitored right up until Sunday to see how much he can do on that healing ankle without putting him at risk.

Passing game

Both teams will be looking to score through the air with the major weapons on each side both being in the passing game – and with Newton still slowed by his ankle he’ll be looking to get the ball to rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who looks a real threat with 329 yards and three TDs already this season.

Chicago have Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and tight end Martellus Bennett as great passing options for Jay Cutler, who has been better on the road than at Soldier Field so far. An interception would be a surprise in this game – Cutler has not been picked off on the road yet this season while Newton hasn’t thrown one at all in three games.

Hurting Panthers

With Newton’s lack of mobility hurting the run game, injuries to all the team’s lead running backs has also contributed to them averaging just 71 yards per game on the ground – making them the fourth worst rushing team in the league. Normal starters Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are both out, as is Mike Tolbert.

One of undrafted pair Darrin Reaves and Fozzy Whittaker will get the start on Sunday, while Chris Ogbannaya could also see some snaps after he was signed on Monday to relieve some of the pressure on the banged-up running back corps. And although the Bears were well beaten last week they did at least hold the Packers to just 56 yards on the ground.

Defensive struggles

Neither team has a great defence, only Carolina’s pass defence gets inside the top half of the league, and even that will be under pressure on Sunday as Chicago are strong in their aerial attack. Carolina’s run defence has been a shadow of the team that ranked second last season – as they’re 27th in allowing 140 rushing yards per game so far.

After allowing just 21 points in their first two games, the Panthers have been opened up for 75 points in the last two, and Chicago also conceded 38 to Green Bay last week. They’ve been decent on the road though, and having Jared Allen back from illness will help to get more pressure on the quarterback than they were able to muster in his absence last week.

Watch the Bears take on the Panthers live on Sky Sports 3, with coverage from 5.30pm on Sunday.