The Panthers get a chance to redeem one of their worst outings of the year by getting a win next week in Chicago. Oh yeah, win and Carolina is in the NFC Championship.

Here’s how the Chicago Sun Times frames this huge game:

Things couldn’t have turned out any better for the Bears on wild-card weekend. Road upsets in both NFC games mean the Bears play the lowest-seeded team possible, the Carolina Panthers. So why does one feel a sense of dread about the divisional playoff matchup Sunday at Soldier Field?

Perhaps it was the way the Panthers embarrassed the NFC East-champion New York Giants. Maybe it’s the idea that it’s tough to beat a team twice in the same season. Most likely it’s the fact the Panthers are a team most observers figured would be in the Super Bowl picture at this time of year.

The good news is the Bears know they can beat Carolina, having pulled off a 13-3 victory on Nov. 20.

This is going to be a serious throwback game. Run the ball and stop the run. Repeat. Turn the other guy over. Protect your possessions. The team that does that best will win.