The Chicago Bears' offense has struggled, and their defense put in poor position has done its best to keep the Carolina Panthers out of the end zone. Yet two field goals have extended the Carolina lead to 19-7 heading to the fourth quarter on Sunday.
Justin Medlock added to Carolina's lead with a 22-yard field goal which gave the Panthers a 16-7 lead with 6:51 left in the third quarter. He tacked on another with 1:35 left in the third quarter, this one from 43 yards out.
Cam Newton and the Panthers' offense have moved the ball against Chicago, keeping each of the two scoring drives alive despite starting inside Carolina's own 15-yard line. Each took more than five minutes off the clock, and Chicago didn't help itself with two offensive possessions that were both 3-and-outs.
Chicago is losing the time of possession battle, 30 minutes to 15 minutes.
Jay Cutler has continued to struggle and is 7-for-14 with 80 yards and three turnovers. The Bears have run only 34 plays to 63 by Carolina.