If you like defense, this was not the game for you.
The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers opened their seasons by turning the afternoon into an offensive track meet. Big plays, rushing touchdowns, explosive passes and constant scoring produced one of the wildest Week 1 games we have ever seen.
By the time it was over, Chicago had scored 59 points, Carolina had scored 37, and the two teams had combined for 1,030 yards of offense.
The Bears eventually pulled away for a 59-37 victory, but for much of the afternoon, neither offense looked interested in slowing down.
Carolina Strikes First
The madness started almost immediately.
Chicago turned the football over on its opening possession, giving Bryce Young and Carolina an early opportunity. Young took advantage, finding Chuba Hubbard for a four-yard touchdown to put the Panthers ahead 7-0.
Caleb Williams responded quickly.
The Bears quarterback used his legs for a nine-yard touchdown, tying the game before D’Andre Swift punched in another score from one yard out to give Chicago a 14-7 advantage.
That was only the beginning.
The Shootout Begins
Williams found Cole Kmet for a 22-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, extending Chicago’s lead to 21-7.
Carolina refused to disappear.
Young connected with Jalen Coker for a massive 51-yard touchdown, immediately putting the Panthers back into the game.
A failed fourth-down attempt by Chicago then handed Carolina excellent field position, and Young made the Bears pay again. This time he used his legs, scrambling seven yards for the touchdown to tie the game at 21.
Chicago and Carolina exchanged field goals from there, making it 24-24.
Then Williams delivered one of the biggest plays of the first half.
With only 32 seconds remaining, he took off for a 29-yard touchdown run, sending Chicago into halftime with a 31-24 lead.
There had already been 55 points scored in one half.
Somehow, the offenses were not finished.
Carolina Ties It Again
The Panthers came out of halftime and continued fighting.
Hubbard scored from two yards out midway through the third quarter, completing another Carolina comeback and tying the game at 31-31.
At that point, this game belonged to anybody.
Then Chicago took over.
The Bears Finally Break It Open
Swift scored his second rushing touchdown to put Chicago back ahead 38-31.
After the Bears defense stopped Carolina on fourth down, Kyle Monangai delivered the play that finally changed the complexion of the game.
On Chicago’s very next snap, Monangai exploded through the middle for a 61-yard touchdown.
Suddenly it was 45-31.
Williams later found Jahdae Walker for another touchdown, pushing Chicago beyond 50 points.
Carolina answered when Young connected with Coker for his second touchdown of the afternoon, but the Bears simply had too much offense.
Swift finished the scoring with a 28-yard touchdown run, his third rushing touchdown of the game.
Final score: Bears 59, Panthers 37.
Caleb Williams Put on a Show
This was exactly the type of performance Bears fans wanted to see from Williams.
He completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
But his legs made him even more dangerous.
Williams added 65 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, giving him four total scores on the afternoon.
Chicago finished with 552 total yards, and Williams was at the center of an offense that seemingly had an answer for everything Carolina tried.
Chicago Ran Wild
Williams was not alone.
Chicago absolutely destroyed Carolina on the ground.
Swift finished with 124 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, while Monangai added 100 yards on only 10 attempts, including his 61-yard touchdown.
Williams added another 65 yards himself.
Altogether, Chicago rushed for 291 yards and six touchdowns.
That is domination.
The Bears did not simply beat Carolina through the air. They ran through them.
Bryce Young Deserved Better
The final score will look ugly for Carolina, but Bryce Young was far from the biggest problem.
Young completed 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown.
Jalen Coker was outstanding, catching eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Carolina produced 478 total yards and scored 37 points.
Most weeks, that should give you an excellent chance to win an NFL game.
On this afternoon, it was not even close to enough.
The Panthers turned the ball over three times and simply could not get enough stops once Chicago’s offense found its rhythm.
An Offensive War for the Record Books
There are shootouts, and then there is whatever happened between Chicago and Carolina.
96 combined points.
1,030 combined yards.
13 combined touchdowns.
For Carolina, the defensive performance is a massive concern. You cannot expect Bryce Young and the offense to score 40 or 50 points every week just to have a chance.
For Chicago, this was about as impressive an offensive opening statement as you could ask for.
Caleb Williams looked dangerous through the air and on the ground. Swift ran wild. Monangai provided the explosive knockout punch.
If this is what the Bears offense is capable of going forward, the rest of the NFL has officially been warned.
Final: Chicago Bears 59, Carolina Panthers 37.
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