Bears Win Season-Opening Shootout Behind Dominant Run Game, Late Stops on Defense
Caleb Williams led a historic ground attack as Chicago scored 10 points off three turnovers and Ben Johnson’s offense opened with its best showing.
- On Sunday, the Chicago Bears opened their 2026 season with a 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers, racking up more than 550 total yards in a historic offensive performance.
- Chicago fell behind 7-0 early after a fumble on the opening drive. "We had some adversity on that first drive and yet no one blinks, no one bats an eye," head coach Ben Johnson said.
- Williams scrambled for a 29-yard touchdown while connecting with wide receivers Kalif Raymond and Luther Burden III on consecutive scoring drives that established command.
- Despite forcing three turnovers—including an interception by rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad and a fumble forced by Jaylon Johnson, recovered by Devin Bush—the defense allowed 478 total yards to Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
- Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said the unit was "really strong against the run game," but Chicago's overall performance raised legitimate concerns for the rest of the season despite the turnover production.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Chicago Bears debut a new brand — and they believe it can get better: Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on Week 1 win
It was big plays galore in the Chicago Bears' season-opening 59-37 win. It's why a team official said this summer, "You've got to reimagine how you think of Bears football."
Bears' 59-37 win tops one of NFL's highest-scoring Week 1s ever
NFL offenses didn’t need any time to shake off the rust. They lit up the scoreboard in one of the highest-scoring opening weeks in NFL history. The Bears beat Carolina 59-37, falling three points shy of tying Atlanta’s 53-year-old record…
Bears blast Panthers with historic offensive outburst in 59-37, then say there's so much more they can do
There was a widespread sense in the locker room that the Bears left some points out there. It’s a laughable statement after hanging 59 points on the Panthers, a solid defense last season, but that was the consensus.
MYSTATELINE
WMBDBears win season-opening shootout behind dominant run game, late stops on defense
CHICAGO (WGN) — There are high scoring affairs, and then there's what the Chicago Bears' season opener turned out to be. Sunday was defense optional in Week 1 at the Carolina Panthers. The Bears' offense reeled off a whopping 59 points on their way to a record setting performance on that side of the ball. [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
