Chicago Bears claim victory over Carolina Panthers in high-scoring opener

The Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 59-37 in their NFL season opener on September 13, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. This matchup featured record-setting performances, with the combined score of 96 points marking the highest in NFL Week 1 history. Caleb Williams impressed with his rushing and passing efforts, while the Bears' running backs contributed significantly to their yardage. Despite fumbling on the opening drive and committing 12 penalties, the Bears' defense received standout performances from rookies Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammad. Both players were instrumental in key defensive plays, though the team's overall performance showed room for improvement.

• 4:30 PMYahoo Sports — 3 Reasons Why the Chicago Bears Beat the Carolina Panthers