Bears Open 2026 Season With Record-Setting 59-37 Win Over Panthers

Williams and Swift Power Chicago's Offensive Outburst

Caleb Williams threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more while D'Andre Swift scored three rushing touchdowns and gained 124 yards on 18 carries, powering the Chicago Bears to a 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and added 65 rushing yards as the Bears moved to 1-0. Kyle Monangai added 100 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown run. The Bears built a 31-14 lead before Carolina tied the game at 31-31 on Chuba Hubbard's 2-yard run with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter, after which Chicago scored the next three touchdowns.

Chicago's Late Surge Seals Record-Setting Outcome

The Bears pulled away after the Panthers' tying score, posting touchdowns on a 1-yard Swift run, Monangai's 61-yard carry, and Williams' 1-yard pass to Jahdae Walker before Swift added a 28-yard touchdown run. The combined 96 points made the contest the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. The result gave Carolina a 0-1 start to its season and left defensive concerns surrounding Chicago unresolved despite the offensive performance.

Young and Coker Pace Carolina's Passing Attack

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards with one interception, throwing two of his three touchdown passes to Jalen Coker. Coker finished with eight receptions for 138 yards, while Hubbard added touchdowns on a run and a reception. The Panthers opened the scoring on a 4-yard Hubbard run set up by a 26-yard Young-to-Coker connection, but were unable to keep pace after the third-quarter tie.

Bears' Defense Records Key Stops Amid Scoring Barrage

Chicago's defense contributed takeaways and pressure despite surrendering 37 points, with Montez Sweat recording a sack on Carolina's first possession to force a three-and-out. A holding penalty and Luther Burden fumble on the Bears' opening series handed the Panthers an early scoring opportunity, but Chicago forced a punt on the next Carolina drive to set up a touchdown. The Bears' offense converted the defensive stand into a 14-7 lead after a 47-yard reception by Rome Odunze set up Swift's 4-yard score.

Around the NFL in Week 1

In other Week 1 results, the Buffalo Bills beat the Houston Texans 36-31 behind Josh Allen's four-touchdown performance, the Detroit Lions edged the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in overtime, and the Jacksonville Jaguars routed the Cleveland Browns 34-10.