CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With quarterback Caleb Williams and an array of playmakers entering their second year in coach Ben Johnson's offense, expectations were extremely high entering Sunday's season opener.
The explosive unit more than lived up to the hype, as the Bears set a franchise record for points in a season opener in a 59-37 win over the Panthers. Williams fueled the effort, generating 334 yards (269 passing and 65 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) while posting a 124.1 passer rating.
The game was tied 7-7, 21-21, 24-24 and 31-31 before the Bears scored touchdowns on three straight possessions bridging the third and fourth quarters to take a 52-31 lead.
The offense produced eight touchdowns and compiled 552 total yards, 261 passing and 291 rushing. D'Andre Swift ran for 124 yards and three TDs on 18 carries, while Kyle Monangai added 100 yards and one TD on 10 attempts. Kalif Raymond led the Bears in receiving with eight catches for 84 yards.
The Bears committed a turnover on the game's third play from scrimmage when linebacker Bobby Okereke's hit on receiver Luther Burden III caused a fumble that cornerback Will Lee III recovered at the Chicago 42.
The Panthers converted the takeaway into Bryce Young's 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Chuba Hubbard, taking a 7-0 lead. The score came three plays after Young's apparent 1-yard TD pass to tight end Darren Waller was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty on Waller.
The Bears answered with a 10-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by Williams' 9-yard TD scramble around left end, tying the score 7-7 with 5:52 left in the first quarter. The TD was set up by Swift's nifty 32-yard scamper to the Panthers' 13.
After the defense forced a three-and-out capped by Montez Sweat's third-down sack, Swift's 1-yard TD run on third-and-goal gave the Bears a 14-7 lead. The TD was set up by Rome Odunze's sensational 47-yard catch down the right sideline. Flushed from the pocket, Williams rolled out and heaved a deep pass to Odunze, who snatched the ball off Lee's back.
After a second-straight three-and-out by their defense, the Bears extended their lead to 21-7 on Williams' 22-yard TD pass to Cole Kmet, who caught the perfectly thrown ball in the end zone with linebacker Devin Lloyd on his back.
The Panthers responded three plays later, cutting the deficit to 21-14 on Young's 51-yard TD pass to receiver Jalen Coker down the left sideline.
The Bears then turned the ball over on downs at their own 21 when Williams was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-1 sneak. Carolina took advantage of the short field, tying the score 21-21 on Young's 7-yard TD scramble.
The special teams unit followed with a huge play as Kaden Davis recovered a punt that was muffed by Jimmy Horn Jr. at the Panthers' 28. Although the offense was unable to pick up a first down for the third straight possession, Cairo Santos' 40-yard field goal gave the Bears a 24-21 lead with 5:20 to play in the first half.
The Panthers tied the game 24-24 on Ryan Fitzgerald's 44-yard field goal with 2:35 to go in the second quarter. The kick was set up by Young's 48-yard pass to running back Jonathon Brooks down the right sideline.
Johnson has said repeatedly that one of the Bears' main focuses has been to play better at the end of the first half on both sides of the ball.
His team did just that Sunday as Williams capped an 80-yard drive with a 29-yard TD run to give the Bears a 31-24 lead with :22 left in the first half and rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad II followed with a diving interception with :05 to go.
In the first half, Williams threw for 196 yards and one TD with a 136.5 passer rating and ran for 52 yards and 2 TDs on six carries.
After Hubbard's 2-yard TD run tied the score 31-31 with 9:02 left in the third quarter, Swift's 1-yard TD burst gave the Bears a 38-31 lead with 3:05 to play in the period. It came after a roughing-the-passer penalty on Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown turned what would have been third-and-20 from the 21 into an automatic first down at the 11.
One play after the defense forced the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs at the Chicago 39, Monangai raced up the middle for a 61-yard TD, increasing the Bears' lead to 45-31 late in the third quarter.
The Bears extended their lead to 52-31 with Williams' 1-yard TD pass to Jahdae Walker.
After Young's 8-yard TD pass to Coker drew the Panthers to within 52-37, Swift's 28-yard TD run widened the margin to 59-37.
The Bears will play their first home game next Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.
