Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 1): Bears 59, Panthers 37 – Running Game Goes Wild in Opening Game Win
The Bears began the 2026 regular season with an offensive explosion against the Panthers in Charlotte Sunday. Caleb Williams and the running game were on fire and the road team put up 59 points to get the victory.
It was an inauspicious start for Chicago when a fumble by receiver Luther Burden led to a 4-yard rushing touchdown for Chuba Hubbard. Williams and company responded immediately with a 9-play touchdown drive with the quarterback running it in himself from 9 yards out.
RB D’Andre Swift had a short TD run on the next possession to give the Bears a 14-7 advantage. An excellent punt return by Kalif Raymond set up a 22-yard pass to TE Cole Kmet that made it 21-7 early in the second quarter.
It was time for the Panthers to answer back, beginning with a 51-yard strike from Bryce Young to Jalen Coker. Then after a very questionable decision by Ben Johnson to go for a 4th down on his on 20 yard line was unsuccessful, Young scrambled into the end zone for a 7-yard TD to even the score at 21.
Both sides traded field goals before Williams used his legs again with a 29-yard touchdown run to give Chicago a 31-24 halftime edge. Carolina tied it again early in the third quarter on Hubbard’s second score of the game.
The Bears went ahead for good on the ensuing possession when Swift punched in a second touchdown from just 1-yard out. After stopping the Panthers on fourth down, RB Kyle Monangai busted a 61-yard TD run to make it 45-31.
Chicago was not done, forcing a fumble and then completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker to reach 52 points. Carolina scored a garbage time TD and the road team responded with a 28-yard run by Swift for a very impressive 59-37 debut win. (Box score)
Why the Bears Won
The offense was completely unstoppable and a couple of turnovers made sure the opposition could not keep pace.
Key Moment
The Panthers went for a 4th and 8 at the Bears 39 yard line late in the third quarter trailing 38-31. Young attempted a deep pass to Tetairoa McMillan that came up incomplete and the Bears went on to score on the very next play.
Stats That Matter
- A huge game for Williams with 269 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also had 65 yards rushing and scored twice with his legs for a total of four touchdowns.
- Swift did a ton of damage with 124 yards and three touchdowns.
- Monangai made it a pair of 100 yard rushers hitting the number exactly Sunday.
- The Bears defense did not have a banner game giving up 478 total yards.
Bottom Line
Chicago is the real deal on the offensive side of the football and they can do it through the air and on the ground. The problem is defensively where things are going to get pretty dicey, especially in the secondary. There are going to be some very exciting games in 2026. It’s only one game but Caleb Williams definitely seems like he is taking his game up a notch.
Next Up
The Bears play their first home game of the season next Sunday, September 20 at 12pm CT against the Vikings with a broadcast on FOX.
